Steve Cherundolo takes U.S. Olympic team role with eye on LA 2028 youth pipeline

Steve Cherundolo takes U.S. Olympic team role with eye on LA 2028 youth pipeline

U.S. Soccer named Steve Cherundolo as Olympic team coach Wednesday, tasking the former LAFC boss with developing the under-23s ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The appointment completes a restructured youth system designed to create a pipeline to Mauricio Pochettino's senior team.

Cherundolo joins a coaching structure that now includes Pochettino with the senior team, Rob Valentino at U-20, and Alex Aldaz at U-17. Each will play a specific developmental role, but Cherundolo's position could prove most critical, bridging the gap between youth categories and the full national team.

More than an Olympic project

While LA 2028 provides the immediate target, Cherundolo's hiring signals broader ambitions. The generation competing at the 2026 World Cup already represents the most talented in U.S. history, with another promising crop emerging through the U-17, U-20, and U-23 ranks.

The Olympic team becomes the crucial connector, a finishing school where prospects make the final leap to senior level. If Cherundolo can establish a consistent playing identity across age groups while managing that transition, his influence could extend far beyond a single Olympic cycle.

Coordinator, not successor

Cherundolo's appointment inevitably sparks speculation about succession planning. Pochettino's future beyond 2026 remains uncertain, and any departure would trigger an immediate search for replacements. But positioning Cherundolo as the heir apparent now would be premature and potentially counterproductive.

His optimal role appears to be exactly where U.S. Soccer placed him, overseeing player development from U-17 through U-23, ensuring smooth progression to the senior squad. Building that infrastructure matters more than rushing him into the top job.

Supporting cast brings credentials

The youth structure gains credibility from its other appointments. Valentino arrives at the U-20s with assistant coaching experience under Frank de Boer, Gabriel Heinze, and Gonzalo Pineda, an impressive resume for developing the next World Cup cycle's core players.

At U-17, Aldaz continues work he began alongside Marco Mitrović in the youth setup. His focus will be nurturing raw talents like Malik Jakupovic who need time before advancing through the system.

Building for continuity

Cherundolo's hiring reinforces a philosophy of continuity within U.S. Soccer's technical structure. Given freedom to monitor all youth categories and establish common tactical principles, the former LAFC coach could become the architect of American soccer's next phase.

Viewing him as Pochettino's immediate successor misses the point. If he successfully guides this generation through LA 2028 while maintaining upward momentum, his candidacy for the senior role will develop naturally. For now, the foundation work matters more than the corner office.