Overview
- U.S. Soccer announced the hire on Thursday, July 9, 2026, appointing Cherundolo to lead the U.S. under-23 men’s team through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Cherundolo is a three‑time World Cup veteran and former LAFC coach whose club record includes an MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup and a 106-32-55 win-draw-loss tally across his LAFC tenure.
- In the role he will run identification camps at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, split time between the U.S. and Europe, and arrange pre‑Olympic friendlies to finalize the squad.
- The Olympic tournament is limited to players born on or after Jan. 1, 2005 with three overage slots, and the United States is automatically qualified as host for the 12‑team 2028 event with matches staged in multiple U.S. cities including Pasadena.
- The federation’s chief operating officer Dan Helfrich led the search and cited player development as the goal, and while Mauricio Pochettino’s senior‑team future remains unsettled some outlets say a strong Olympic showing could raise Cherundolo’s profile as a senior‑team candidate.