ATLANTA, Ga. – Former University of Portland standout and 2022 Pilot Hall of Fame inductee Steve Cherundolo has been named head coach of the United States Under-23 Men's National Soccer Team that will compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Thursday.

Cherundolo played as defender on The Bluff during the 1997 and 1998 seasons. He garnered West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 1997 and was an All-WCC First Team selection both years before moving on to a decorated professional and international playing career which spanned 15 seasons with Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga as well as the United States Men's National Team (USMNT).

After his playing career, Cherundolo transitioned into coaching in Germany at the youth level, then returned to the United States to lead USL Championship club Las Vegas Lights for the 2021 season. He then became the head coach for Los Angeles FC (LAFC) where they won the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in 2022 and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2024.

University of Portland has long and storied tradition of developing players and coaches that have played and coached in the Olympic Games. Here is a complete list:

University of Portland Soccer at The Olympics
Women
Tiffeny Milbrett, USA (1996*, 2000^)
Shannon Mac Millan, USA (1996*, 2000^)
Michelle French, USA (2000^)
Christine Sinclair, Canada (2008, 2012#, 2016#, 2020*)
Stephanie Cox (nee Lopez), USA (2008)
Sophie Schmidt, Canada (2008, 2012#, 2016#, 2020*)
Megan Rapinoe, USA (2012*, 2016, 2020#)
Michelle French (Assistant Coach), USA (2016)

Men
Yari Allnutt, USA (1992)
Kasey Keller, USA (1996)
Conor Casey, USA (2000)
Clive Charles (Head Coach), USA (2000)

For the complete US Soccer Federation story on the appointment of Steve Cherundolo as Olympic Team Head Coach, click here.