U.S. Soccer officially named Steve Cherundolo as the head coach for the U-23 Olympic team for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a move that carries immense weight for the USMNT's future. With our full national team's exit from the 2026 World Cup, a heavy turnover is absolutely coming, and many of our most important players will be exiting their prime years in the next cycle. This Olympic squad isn't a side project, it's the proving ground for filling those crucial openings on the senior team.
Why These Olympics Are Game-Changing For Our Squad
Look, you don't need a deep dive to see how critical this 2028 Olympic team is. U.S. Soccer COO Dan Helfrich said it himself back in May, there's "a lot of data that suggests that success in youth World Cups and in Olympic cycles on the men's side creates accelerated player development and creates the conditions for success in subsequent World Cups." We saw it at the 2026 World Cup: France had seven players from its 2024 Olympic team boosting their squad. Spain's 2026 World Cup team had six players from their 2024 Olympic team, not counting Fermín López who was injured. Morocco even had six players transition from their 2024 Olympic team to their 2026 World Cup team, though Abde Ezzalzouli later withdrew due to injury. These other nations get it, and now we gotta get it too. Helfrich promised we'd see U.S. Soccer "strategically investing more attention and resources and focus on the youth national team games program, on elevating the men's Olympic team." It's about time, right?Cherundolo's Proven Track Record And What It Means
So, who's the man tasked with this monumental job? Steve Cherundolo, and his resume is legit. As a player, he was a rock for Hannover 96 and earned 87 caps for the U.S. national team. Remember his performances at the 2010 World Cup? Guy was a fan favorite! He started his coaching journey in youth levels at Hannover and even as an assistant for Germany's U-15 national team. But what really gets me excited is his time stateside. He coached Los Angeles FC from 2022-2025, winning the MLS Cup and the Supporters Shield in 2022, then the U.S. Open Cup in 2024. He even led LAFC to a massive win over Club America in 2025 to qualify for the Club World Cup. His LAFC teams played with a balanced mix: high pressing, solid defensive organization, and quick transitions, often led by top MLS wingers like Denis Bouanga and Carlos Vela. He wasn't afraid to be pragmatic and flexible with formations, using either a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 depending on the opponent. That kind of adaptability is exactly what our U-23 team will need, especially since we don't even know what the strengths of that roster will fully be yet. This is a guy who knows how to get it done. The team will begin preparing for the Olympics during the coming international windows, and every single session, every game, is going to be under the microscope. We're talking about the future of our USMNT here, folks, and that's something worth getting hyped for! Keep an eye out for players like Real Salt Lake's winger/wingback Zavier Gozo, reportedly the top teenager prospect in the American system. This is where legends are made, and we'll be watching every step of the way. Go USA!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.