US Soccer: No player mutiny behind Sermanni firing, but concerns about team buying in

Tom Sermanni, U.S. women's soccer coach, looks on against China during the first half of an international friendly soccer match in Commerce City, Colo., on Sunday, April 6, 2014. U.S. Soccer fired Sermanni on Sunday, following a disappointing seventh-place finish last month at the Algarve Cup. The surprising move came just 16 months after he took over the program. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) (The Associated Press)

In this Sept. 3, 2013, photo, U.S. women's national soccer team coach Tom Sermanni waits for an international friendly against Mexico in Washington. U.S. Soccer says Sermanni has been fired as coach. The Americans beat China 2-0 in an exhibition game Sunday, April 6, 2014, in Commerce City, Colo. Hours later, the U.S. soccer announced the move in a news release. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) (The Associated Press)

U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati is dismissing the idea that any sort of player mutiny led to the firing of women's coach Tom Sermanni.

The USSF fired Sermanni on Sunday, hours after an exhibition victory over China in Commerce City, Colo. The surprising move came just 16 months after he was put in charge.

Gulati says there is ongoing dialogue with players on the country's national teams. He says it's important that players buy in to the direction of the team, and there were some concerns about that with Sermanni.

The federation will begin looking for a new coach immediately, with the Women's World Cup coming up next year.

Jill Ellis, the USSF's director of development, will serve as interim coach.