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Steve Cherundolo tells The Post how quest for Olympics soccer gold fits with USMNT youth movement
Steve Cherundolo joined Mauricio Pochettino’s staff at a recent U.S. men’s national team camp, where a young squad won all four of its friendlies. His presence reflected the overlap between the senior team’s youth movement and Cherundolo’s Under-23 role as he prepares the side for the 2028 Olympics.
Cherundolo, appointed this summer with the goal of making the U.S. a contender for Olympic gold, will not be at the senior team’s next camp. Instead, he will lead his own camp in Spain, with a separate roster and two fixtures against opponents that have not yet been announced. The senior team is preparing for a two-leg CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.
In short
- Cherundolo is targeting Olympic gold with the U.S. Under-23s.
- He joined the senior camp after four friendly wins.
- His next camp will be in Spain with two fixtures.
Explained simply
Steve Cherundolo is a former US international who now coaches the United States Under-23 men’s team. That age group provides a pathway towards the senior national team and is also the team the US expects to send to the 2028 Olympic football tournament.
The Olympic team and the senior side draw on many of the same young players, so their development and preparation are closely linked. Olympic football has an age limit for most players, making it a distinct challenge from the senior game, while the US men’s team has a long-term aim of competing for gold on home soil in 2028.