Inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, Cherundolo ranks among the most decorated American players of all time.
The Los Angeles Football Club on Monday announced Steve Cherundolo as the club’s next head coach. Cherundolo,42, will officially be introduced at a press conference on Wednesday at Banc of California Stadium. Inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, Cherundolo ranks among the most decorated American players of all time. He made 87 appearances for the U.S. national team and is one of 11 players to be named to three U.S. World Cup rosters. The San Diego native spent 15 years in Germany as a professional player. Upon retiring from Hannover 96 in 2014, where he served as captain and was dubbed “The Mayor,” the right back had recorded 415 appearances, most by an American with one Bundesliga club. Cherundolo immediately transitioned into coaching with Hannover. His head coaching experience, however, is limited to a 2021 stint as the manager of LAFC’s United Soccer League affiliate Las Vegas Lights and opportunities on the youth academy level in Germany. Last year with Las Vegas, Cherundolo’s team posted a 6-23-3 record in the USL Pacific Division as it served primarily as LAFC’s reserve team with a heavy focus on player development. He had previously been named to the interim staff of the U.S. national team in 2018 and two years later earned a UEFA Pro License, the highest coaching certification available in Europe. “Maybe it’s just my general character,” Cherundolo said, “but I don’t like to get into things where I am not prepared. I feel very prepared for this opportunity and I’m ready to go.” Cherundolo takes over a club that missed the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in 2021.
