Steve Cherundolo hired as new head coach of U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team
ATLANTA – Steve Cherundolo, a three-time World Cup veteran and former MLS Cup-winning coach, has been appointed by the U.S. Soccer Federation as the new head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men’s National Team that will compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics.
A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the 47-year-old native of San Diego had a very successful playing career and represented his country since the age of 18, earning 87 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team from 1999 to 2012. He played 15 seasons at German Bundesliga club Hannover 96, and by 2013 accumulated 415 appearances, making him the longest serving American player in Bundesliga history.
After his playing career, Cherundolo transitioned into coaching in Germany at the youth level, then returned to the United States to lead USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights for the 2021 season. He then became the head coach for Los Angeles FC (LAFC). During his tenure in Los Angeles from 2022-2025, he guided LAFC to tremendous success, winning the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in 2022 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2024. He had an overall record of 106W-55L-32D with the club.
“Throughout his career, Steve Cherundolo has been a proven winner, an elite talent developer, and a great ambassador for American soccer,” said U.S. Soccer Federation Chief Operating Officer Dan Helfrich, who led the coaching search. “The 2028 Olympics present a critical platform to develop our next generation of players and further engage our passionate fan base as we pursue an Olympic medal at home. Steve’s leadership will be instrumental in building an Olympic team that proudly represents U.S. Soccer. And he will work closely with both our Senior and Youth National team coaches in growing the game together.”
Cherundolo’s responsibility as the new head coach for the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team will be to build a highly competitive roster for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics. He will lead identification camps where he will select and help develop a team that will train at the state-of-the-art Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia and participate in international friendlies ahead of the Summer Games.
“Representing the United States at the Olympic Games is one of the greatest honors in sports, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead this team,” Cherundolo said. “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. Our responsibility is to compete with courage, humility, and a clear identity, one that reflects the values of U.S. Soccer and gives our supporters a team they can be proud of.”
The San Diego native, who played for the La Jolla Nomads, Mt. Carmel High School and the University of Portland before turning professional, is one of only 17 USMNT players named to three FIFA World Cup rosters (2002, 2006, 2010). In the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, he played every minute at right back, helping the team win their group and advance to the Round of 16. He was also part of the Concacaf Gold Cup winning team in 2005.
“Steve’s extensive coaching experience and having gone through the American youth soccer system gives him a unique understanding of American and European style of play that will allow him to maximize and nurture the players’ potential,” said U.S. Soccer’s Vice President of Sporting, Oguchi Onyewu, who was integral in the decision to appoint Cherundolo. “Having played alongside Steve in two World Cups, I have seen firsthand the impact he can have on the group. We are confident he is the right coach to lead this team in the 2028 Summer Olympics.”
Cherundolo’s wealth of experience with the U.S. Men’s National Team as a player will help as an experienced voice to younger players as they manage the responsibility of representing U.S. Soccer at the international level.
In 2013, he was elected to the USMNT All-Time Best XI and was officially inducted to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, recognizing his legacy on the field.
Cherundolo holds the UEFA Pro License, which he earned in 2020.
This step forward is part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country in a major global championship.
