Cherundolo named US men's Olympic coach as Pochettino's future hangs in the balance

Steve Cherundolo has been appointed head coach of the United States men’s under-23 team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the US Soccer Federation announced on Thursday. The 47-year-old San Diego native, who most recently managed LAFC, will guide the side through the Games on home soil from July 14 to July 30.

Cherundolo’s appointment immediately draws attention to a parallel question at senior level. Mauricio Pochettino’s contract expires this summer, and his position looks precarious after the US were beaten 4-1 by Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 — their earliest exit since 2002. Should a new agreement not be reached, Cherundolo is considered a potential candidate for the interim head coach role. The national team has four friendly matches scheduled during the FIFA international window from September 21 to October 3.

As a player, Cherundolo earned 87 caps for the United States between 1999 and 2012 and appeared in three World Cup squads. He spent 15 seasons at Hannover, making a record 415 Bundesliga appearances — more than any other American — before retiring in 2014. He was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021.

His coaching career began with second-tier Las Vegas Lights in 2021 before he took charge of LAFC in 2022. He won the MLS Cup in his first season and added the US Open Cup in 2024, departing after the 2025 campaign to return to Germany.

Under FIFA regulations for the Olympic men’s tournament, squads must be composed of under-23 players — those born on or after January 1, 2005 — with each of the 12 participating nations permitted to name three over-age wild cards. As host nation, the United States qualifies automatically.

Matches will be staged across seven US cities: Columbus, Nashville, New York, Pasadena, St. Louis, San Diego, and San Jose.