Steve Cherundolo has been appointed head coach of the U.S. men's U23 team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, bringing MLS Cup-winning experience and World Cup pedigree as the U.S. prepares to host — and must navigate age limits that mean only up to three 2026 World Cup veterans could return as over-age additions in 2028.
Cherundolo takes charge of U.S. U23s with Los Angeles 2028 in sight
Steve Cherundolo, 47, is the new head coach of the U.S. men's U23 team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The appointment pairs a decorated former international defender and recent MLS championship-winning coach with a program that now has an automatic Olympic berth as host nation.
Expect immediate pressure to marry player development with competitive ambition.
Background: player, MLS coach, leader
Cherundolo's credentials are clear. He represented the United States at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and carries a strong coaching résumé from Major League Soccer, notably guiding Los Angeles FC to the MLS Cup in 2022. Those experiences deliver both tactical acumen and credibility within American soccer circles — useful when persuading top prospects to prioritize Olympic preparation.
Why this appointment matters for U.S. Olympic ambitions
The U.S. will enter LA 2028 as hosts, which removes qualification drama and raises expectations. Hosting elevates the stakes: national attention, development benchmarks, and a rare chance to target a deep tournament run on home soil. Cherundolo’s appointment signals a desire to blend immediate competitiveness with long-term player development ahead of the Paris-to-LA transition for a generation of American talent.
Lessons from Paris 2024 and recent continuity
The U.S. reached the quarterfinals at Paris 2024 but were thumped 4-0 by Morocco, a reminder that Olympic success requires more than qualifying. Marko Mitrović, who led the Paris campaign and has since moved to the U20 role, leaves a structure in place that Cherundolo can build on — but he must address the gaps exposed in tournament play, especially defensively and in controlling tempo against top international opposition.
Age rules: how many 2026 World Cup players can make the 2028 Olympic roster?
Olympic men's soccer is primarily an under-23 tournament with three over-age slots per roster. That rule is decisive: only up to three players from a potential 2026 U.S. World Cup squad who exceed the U23 age cutoff in 2028 can be included as over-age exceptions. Players who still meet the U23 eligibility by birth year can be picked without using one of those limited slots.
What that means in practice
The practical carryover from a 2026 World Cup roster to LA 2028 depends on individual birth years. If core 2026 performers are young enough, they can populate much of the Olympic squad. If they’re older, Cherundolo will face hard choices: allocate one of three over-age spots to a veteran leader, or prioritize younger players who meet the cutoff and invest in longer-term cohesion.
Strategic implications for squad construction and player development
Cherundolo’s brief will be twofold: assemble a competitive team for a high-profile home Olympics while preserving a pathway for emerging talent. That requires coordinating with MLS, European clubs, U.S. Soccer’s youth setups, and the senior national team to manage minutes, call-ups, and player availability.
Balancing competitiveness and development
Using an over-age slot on a proven World Cup veteran can stabilize a young side, but it reduces flexibility. Cherundolo must weigh short-term medal ambitions against the developmental value of giving minutes to prospects who will shape U.S. soccer beyond 2028. His MLS experience should help in negotiating such tradeoffs and persuading clubs to release players when schedules conflict.
Context and historical perspective
U.S. men’s soccer has limited Olympic pedigree; the only Olympic medals came in 1904 at the St. Louis Games, in a vastly different era. Modern Olympic soccer has become a meaningful showcase for rising talent and a bridge between youth levels and full international status. Hosting in Los Angeles elevates the tournament’s domestic importance and creates a rare opportunity to fast-track players under global scrutiny.
What to watch next
Key signals to monitor: Cherundolo’s staff hires, early squad selections, how he uses the three over-age slots, and coordination with senior team coaches ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The interplay between club commitments and Olympic preparation will define the U.S. approach.
Bottom line
Cherundolo’s appointment is pragmatic and ambitious: a coach with championship experience and World Cup credibility charged with delivering on home-soil opportunity.
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Rules limit only up to three World Cup-era veterans from 2026 to be added as over-age players in 2028, so the composition of the Olympic roster will be a strategic choice — one that will reveal whether U.S. Soccer prioritizes immediate results or long-term player pathways.
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