NEW YORK — Steve Cherundolo, a former U.S. men’s national team player and Major League Soccer head coach, has been selected to guide the United States under-23 men’s national soccer team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the nation’s soccer federation announced Thursday.
Cherundolo is no stranger to the highest levels of American soccer. During his playing career, he earned 87 caps for the United States and suited up for three separate World Cup tournaments. On the coaching side, he made a major mark when he led LAFC to the MLS Cup championship in 2022, following earlier work coaching youth teams in Germany.
The U.S. under-23 squad has already secured its place in the 2028 Games as the host nation. The team’s most recent Olympic showing came at the Paris Games, where they advanced to the quarterfinals — a notable achievement considering it marked their first Olympic appearance since 2008.
Cherundolo expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, saying in a statement: “I believe we have an exciting group of players with tremendous potential, and I’m looking forward to building an environment where they can challenge themselves, grow together, and represent our country with pride.”
