Cherundolo Heads 2028 Olympic Soccer
Former USMNT Star Steve Cherundolo Named U-23 Olympic Coach for 2028 LA Games
Key Points
Cherundolo is the longest-serving American in Bundesliga history after a 15-year stint with Hannover 96, and he is a National Soccer Hall of Fame member who was also named to the U.S. Soccer All-Time Best XI in 2013.
At LAFC, Cherundolo guided the club to MLS Cup (2022), the Supporters’ Shield, and the U.S. Open Cup (2024), while also taking LAFC to the 2023 MLS Cup final; he left the club in 2025 to return to Germany, and he helped LAFC secure a path to the FIFA Club World Cup by beating Club América.
Cherundolo earned 87 caps for the United States and played in three World Cups; he appeared in the 2006 and 2010 tournaments and was named to the 2002 squad but did not play due to injury.
Beyond his U.S. career, Cherundolo grew up in San Diego, California, spent his entire playing career in Germany with Hannover 96, and began coaching in Germany before returning to the United States to run Las Vegas Lights (USL) in 2021 and later take over LAFC in 2022.
U.S. Soccer has named Steve Cherundolo as head coach of the men's under-23 national team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to Fox Sports. The 47-year-old brings MLS Cup success and a Hall of Fame playing career to the role, tasked with building the next generation of American soccer talent on home soil.
The appointment marks the first time the U.S. has named a dedicated coach for the Olympic under-23 program, Freedom 96.9 reported. As host nation, the U.S. earns an automatic berth in the men's tournament — a largely under-23 competition that allows up to three overage players.
Cherundolo's LAFC Record Made Him the Clear Choice
Cherundolo spent three-plus years leading LAFC before stepping away in 2025. He guided the club to the MLS Cup in 2022, the Supporters' Shield, and the U.S. Open Cup in 2024. He also took LAFC to the 2023 MLS Cup final, finishing his tenure with a 106-55-32 record. U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich called him a "proven winner" and "elite talent developer."
Before LAFC, Cherundolo ran Las Vegas Lights in the USL in 2021 and began his coaching career in Germany. He left LAFC after helping the club beat Club América to secure a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, The Independent reported.
A Hall of Fame Career Spanning 87 Caps and Three World Cups
Cherundolo earned 87 caps for the U.S. men's national team. He played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and was named to the 2002 squad but missed the tournament due to injury. He is a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee and was named to the U.S. Soccer All-Time Best XI in 2013.
Cherundolo is the longest-serving American in Bundesliga history. He spent 15 years with Hannover 96 in Germany, growing up in San Diego before moving abroad to build his entire playing career in the German top flight, Freedom 96.9 reported.
2026 World Cup Exit Adds Pressure to the Olympic Mission
The appointment comes in the wake of a painful moment for U.S. soccer. The U-23 team was eliminated from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Fox Sports noted. The senior team also suffered a disappointing exit from the 2026 World Cup on home soil. U.S. Soccer sees the 2028 Olympics as a chance to rebuild national pride.
Cherundolo emphasized building a strong team identity. His goal is to develop players who compete with "courage and pride" — and contend for an Olympic medal in front of a home crowd in Los Angeles. The host city advantage, combined with automatic qualification, gives the U.S. a rare platform to make a statement.
Why Hosting LA 2028 Changes the Stakes for U.S. Soccer
As Olympic hosts, the United States skips the normal qualification process entirely. That automatic berth guarantees a spot in a tournament where most players must be 23 or younger, with three overage slots available. It gives Cherundolo more time to build and test his roster than most nations get, WKZO reported.
The LA setting adds extra weight to the mission. A home Olympic medal would be a landmark result for American men's soccer. Cherundolo has four years to shape a squad capable of delivering it — starting now with identifying the next wave of U.S. talent.
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