Steve Cherundolo returns to lead usa under-23 soccer team ahead of 2028 Olympics

Steve Cherundolo has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States Under-23 Men’s National Team, a pivotal move by U.S. Soccer as it sets its sights on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The former U.S. Men’s National Team defender and ex-Los Angeles FC manager returns to the national program with a winning pedigree and a clear mandate: to build a squad capable of making a statement on home soil.

Cherundolo’s return comes at a critical juncture for U.S. men’s Olympic football. After failing to qualify for the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympic tournaments, the United States is preparing for only its third men’s Olympic appearance in two decades. The pressure is immense, with expectations reaching a fever pitch as the country prepares to host the Games.

During his tenure at LAFC, Cherundolo demonstrated his tactical acumen and leadership, guiding the club to an extraordinary double in 2022 by clinching both the MLS Cup and the Supporters’ Shield. His success continued in 2024, when he added the U.S. Open Cup to his managerial résumé. These achievements underscore his ability to deliver results at the highest level of American soccer, a quality U.S. Soccer will be counting on as the Olympic cycle intensifies.

Cherundolo’s appointment is more than a return; it is a bold statement by U.S. Soccer, signaling its ambition to break new ground with a generation hungry for international success. With the spotlight set to shine brighter than ever in 2028, the federation is banking on Cherundolo’s experience both as a decorated national team player and a proven winner in Major League Soccer.

With Olympic qualification and a shot at glory on the horizon, all eyes will be on Cherundolo as he assembles and leads the next wave of American talent into a crucial chapter for U.S. Soccer.