​The 2028 Olympics are approaching fast, with less than two years to go, and the United States now has a designated head coach for its Olympic-era team. On Friday, U.S. Soccer announced that Steve Cherundolo will lead the U.S. U-23 men’s national team, the side slated to compete at the 2028 Summer Games. Cherundolo, who earned 87 caps for the United States and represented the USMNT in three World Cups, is also an MLS Cup-winning head coach, having guided Los Angeles FC to the title in 2022. The 47-year-old former player left LAFC at the end of last year to return to Germany, where he spent his entire playing career—earning the nickname “Mayor of Hannover”—and where he began his coaching journey before a stint with the Las Vegas Lights in 2021 and then LAFC in 2022. He now takes charge of the U-23 program that will form the core of the 2028 Summer Olympics squad, which will be staged in Los Angeles.
Representing the United States at the Olympic Games stands as one of the greatest honors in sport, Cherundolo said in a formal statement. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team and noted his belief in an exciting group of players with immense potential. He added that he aims to foster an environment where the players can challenge themselves, grow collectively, and represent the nation with pride. The head coach emphasized the importance of competing with courage and humility while establishing a clear identity that aligns with U.S. Soccer’s values and provides supporters with a team they can be proud of.
Dan Helfrich, U.S. Soccer’s chief operating officer, led the search for the new Olympic coach, a process conducted at a time when the federation does not have a sporting director after Matt Crocker departed in April to join the Saudi Arabian federation in a similar role. In presenting Cherundolo, Helfrich highlighted the candidate’s track record as a winner, a developing force in talent, and an effective ambassador for American soccer. He noted that the 2028 Olympics present a crucial platform to nurture the next generation of players and to deepen engagement with the nation’s devoted fan base as the team pursues an Olympic medal on home soil. Cherundolo’s leadership will be central to constructing an Olympic squad that proudly represents U.S. Soccer, and he will collaborate closely with both the Senior and Youth National Team coaches to advance the growth of the game across the country.
The men’s Olympic soccer tournament is a U-23 competition, with teams permitted to include up to three overage players. Cherundolo’s responsibilities extend beyond assembling a competitive U-23 roster for gold in Los Angeles; he will also work in conjunction with the U.S. Men’s National Team head coach to identify three players who might help propel the Olympic effort to its peak and be available for the Paris-qualifying timeline when the Games commence in July 2028.
Oguchi Onyewu, U.S. Soccer’s vice president of sporting and a former teammate of Cherundolo’s on the USMNT, lauded the appointment. He highlighted Cherundolo’s broad coaching experience and his immersion in the American youth soccer system, which give him a distinctive understanding of both American and European styles of play. Onyewu suggested that this background will enable Cherundolo to maximize the players’ potential and foster their development effectively, helping the national program strengthen its pipeline from youth to senior levels as the sport continues to grow in the United States.