FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Former American defender and Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cerundolo was hired Thursday by the U.S. Soccer Federation to lead the U.S. under-23 men’s team through the 2028 Olympics.
It was unclear whether the 47-year-old San Diego native would be considered as interim coach of the national team if USSF and Mauricio Pochettino’s contract expires this summer. The national team will be able to play four friendlies in the FIFA international slot from September 21st to October 3rd.
Cerundolo played in 87 games for the United States from 1999 to 2012 and was included in three World Cup squads. He played 15 seasons with Hannover until 2014, making 415 appearances, the most by an American in the Bundesliga.
he In 2021, he served as a coach for the second-division Las Vegas Lights. and LAFC 2022 to 2025,Victory Won MLS title in first season and 2024 US Open Cup. He left Los Angeles after 2025 and returned to Germany.
Cerundro is Inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame In 2021.
FIFA limits the men’s Olympic team to players under the age of 23 born on or after January 1, 2005, and each of the 12 teams can field three wild card players over the age limit.
The game will take place in Columbus, Ohio. Nashville, Tennessee. New York; Pasadena, California. St. Louis. San Diego; and San Jose, California. The United States automatically qualifies as the host nation.
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