​Steve Cherundolo, the renowned American defender and current Los Angeles FC coach, has been named to lead the United States men’s under-23 national team through the 2028 Olympic Games by the US Soccer Federation. The announcement, issued on Thursday, places a seasoned and highly respected figure at the helm as the United States prepares for its Olympic campaign. At 47 years old, the San Diego native steps into a role that could also spotlight him as a candidate for the national team’s interim coaching position should talks fail to yield a new agreement with Mauricio Pochettino, whose contract with the senior side is set to expire this summer. Pochettino’s future remains in question following his team’s recent exit from the World Cup. The United States were eliminated in the Round of 16 after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium, a result that prevented the Americans from reaching the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. It remains to be seen whether Pochettino will continue in charge of the US men’s senior team, as discussions about the next steps continue.
The United States national team currently has four friendlies scheduled during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 3. Cherundolo brings a storied playing career to his new post, having earned 87 caps for the US national team between 1999 and 2012 and featured in three World Cup squads. He spent 15 seasons with Hannover 96 in Germany, amassing a record 415 Bundesliga appearances—the most by any American player. His coaching path has included a stint with the USL Championship side Las Vegas Lights in 2021, followed by a successful period at LAFC from 2022 to 2025. While at LAFC, he claimed an MLS Cup title in his first season and the US Open Cup in 2024, before departing in 2025 to return to Germany. Cherundolo was inducted into the United States National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021.
For the Olympic Games, FIFA rules require that men’s teams consist of players under the age of 23, with birthdates on or after January 1, 2005. Each of the 12 participating nations is allowed to include up to three players who exceed the age limit as wild cards. The 2028 Olympic soccer tournament will feature matches across multiple U.S. cities, including Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; New York; Pasadena, California; St. Louis; San Diego, California; and San Jose, California. As the host nation, the United States earns an automatic berth, ensuring its place in the Olympic tournament. The 2028 Games are scheduled to run from July 14 to July 30.
Cherundolo’s appointment signals a clear strategic focus by US Soccer on building a strong, young core for the 2028 Olympics and beyond. Under-23 oversight is designed to identify and nurture players who can transition to the senior national team in the coming years, with the Olympic tournament serving as a crucial developmental platform. The move also opens the door to ongoing conversations about the national team’s managerial leadership, as Pochettino’s status with the senior squad remains an open matter as negotiations continue.
The new under-23 coach brings extensive international experience and a proven track record of player development. Cherundolo’s leadership at the Olympic level will be closely watched as the United States strives to put forward a competitive squad to challenge for medals in Paris in the years ahead. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, US Soccer is prioritizing the maturation of a generation of young talents who can eventually anchor the senior national team, leveraging the under-23 team as a vital pipeline for the country’s football future.