Steve Cherundolo, a veteran of two World Cups and a key figure in the 2002 U.S. squad, has been named head coach of the United States under‑23 men’s national team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A Strategic Choice for the LA Games
The selection comes at a moment when the U.S. automatically secures a spot as host nation, a privilege that also carries the weight of ending a century‑plus wait for an Olympic medal in men’s soccer. The tournament, traditionally a U‑23 competition with limited over‑age exceptions, will test Cherundolo’s ability to blend youthful talent with seasoned experience.
Cherundolo’s coaching résumé includes a stint at Los Angeles FC from 2022 to 2025, during which he guided the club to the MLS Cup title in 2022. His playing career spanned appearances in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and a place on the 2002 roster, though injury prevented him from taking the field.
The road to the Games has not been smooth. In the 2024 Olympic quarterfinals, the U.S. fell 4‑0 to Morocco, marking the first time since 2008 that the Americans qualified for the competition. That defeat underscored both the competitive gap and the narrow margin within which the next generation must operate.
If any members of the 2026 World Cup squad earn a place on the Olympic roster, they will have to be counted among the three over‑age exceptions permitted per team. This rule adds a strategic layer to Cherundolo’s selections, as he balances the desire for proven talent with the development of emerging players.
The coach also carries the memory of the nation’s last Olympic medal, a gold from the 1904 St. Louis Games, a footnote that fuels the ambition to restore U.S. prominence on the world stage.
With the 2028 Games set to unfold on home soil, Cherundolo’s mission is clear: craft a cohesive, competitive side that can translate the excitement of a home crowd into a historic performance.