Steve Cherundolo named US men’s soccer head coach for 2028 LA Olympics

Steve Cherundolo, the acclaimed American defender and Los Angeles FC coach, has been appointed by the US Soccer Federation to lead the American men's under-23 team through the 2028 Olympics. The announcement was made on Thursday, placing a seasoned figure at the helm for the upcoming Games. The 47-year-old San Diego native's new role also sparks speculation regarding his potential candidacy for the national team interim coach position. This could arise if a new agreement is not reached between the USSF and Mauricio Pochettino, whose contract is set to expire this summer. Pochettino’s future is currently uncertain following his side’s elimination from the World Cup . The US were beaten 4-1 by Belgium in the Round of 16 as they failed to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. It remains unclear whether Mauricio Pochettino will remain in charge of the US men's senior team (Getty) The national team has four friendly matches scheduled during the Fifa international window from September 21 to October 3. Cherundolo boasts a distinguished playing career, having earned 87 caps for the US national team between 1999 and 2012, and featuring in three World Cup squads. He spent 15 seasons with Hannover until 2014, making a record 415 Bundesliga appearances, the most by any American player. His coaching journey includes a stint with the second-tier Las Vegas Lights in 2021, followed by a successful tenure at LAFC from 2022-25. During his time there, he secured an MLS title in his inaugural season and the US Open Cup in 2024, before departing LA after 2025 to return to Germany. Cherundolo was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021. For the Olympic Games, Fifa regulations stipulate that men's teams must comprise under-23 players, born on or after January 1, 2005. Each of the 12 participating teams is permitted to include three wild-card players who exceed this age limit. The 2028 Olympic soccer matches will be hosted across several US cities, including Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; New York; Pasadena, California; St. Louis; San Diego; and San Jose, California. As the host nation, the US automatically secures a berth in the tournament. The 2028 Games are due to run from July 14 to July 30.