For Steve Cherundolo, the Time is Now with LAFC | OneFootball

The 46-year-old LAFC coach has all the makings of a future national team manager. However, Steve Cherundolo must prove the naysayers wrong by having a banner year with the Black and Gold.

On paper, Steve Cherundolo is a manager every American soccer fan should be rooting for. The former Las Vegas Lights coach has built an admirable CV during his three seasons at LAFC. In 151 games with the club, “Dolo” has an 85-44-22 record, with plenty of silverware along the way in the forms of an MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup, and Supporters’ Shield.

Cherundolo took over the club ahead of the 2022 season, replacing Bob Bradley. And while his predecessor saw success during his tenure, it was Cherundolo who got LAFC over the MLS Cup hump. True, Bradley had to deal with the growing pains of LAFC as an expansion team, and Cherundolo took over a more polished franchise, but the numbers don’t lie — Cherundolo has exceeded Bradley’s achievements almost from day one.

Before his managerial career, Cherundolo was a rarity: an American soccer player consistently playing in Europe. He spent his entire professional career at Hannover 96 in Germany, where he played for 16 seasons, 12 of which were in the Bundesliga.

Over that time, he made 423 appearances and scored eight goals for the club. Fans dubbed him the “Mayor of Hannover” as he captained the team until a knee injury ended his playing days.

On the international level, ‘Dolo earned 87 caps for the United States men’s national team, scoring two goals, the first of which ironically came against Germany. He represented the U.S. in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and won a CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005, his only professional title as a player.

As a coach, Cherundolo’s rise came quickly. He began as the U15 and later U17 manager of Hannover 96, before moving to VfB Stuttgart in 2018 as an assistant coach. Cherundolo also served as an assistant to the USMNT under Dave Sarachan, during a tumultuous period after the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. His credentials were further solidified when he became an assistant coach for the Germany U15s, an unprecedented position for an American manager.

Guilty by Association

Cherundolo’s name was met with near-unanimous rejection when it was considered as a potential replacement for Gregg Berhalter following the USMNT’s disappointing 2024 Copa América.

The criticism was largely because Cherundolo was seen as an MLS coach, with little attention paid to his European playing career and coaching experience. Despite these qualifications, not to mention his solid work with LAFC, fans couldn’t see beyond the MLS label and clamored for something bigger.

In response, Cherundolo wisely distanced himself from the speculation about becoming the U.S. manager, despite being a top candidate. The current U.S. national team cycle has been heavily tainted by the fallout from the 2022 World Cup, including the controversy surrounding Berhalter and Gio Reyna. Unrealistic expectations for a team that hasn’t beaten a major opponent in nearly eight years have only compounded the situation.

Mauricio Pochettino came in at the biggest salary of any national team manager in the Americas, and the Argentine was given the task to save the program from embarrassment in 2026. A “golden generation” which really hasn’t been golden will be guided by an exceptional manager, who would be deemed a national hero should he get the team to a quarterfinal appearance at the 2026 World Cup.

For Cherundolo, the next two years present an opportunity to raise his stock further, and this will come at the MLS level.

Success, but Some Major Failures

Not everything has gone smoothly for Cherundolo, however. 2023 proved to be a challenging year, as LAFC lost three finals in a single season, with the most significant defeat coming in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where they lost both legs of the final to León.

A subsequent loss to the Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final was equally bitter, as was a defeat to Tigres in the Campeones Cup.

Though LAFC’s U.S. Open Cup win in 2024 provided a silver lining, another finals loss to the Crew, this time in the Leagues Cup, did little for Cherundolo’s stock, especially as Crew manager Wilfried Nancy is also seen as a potential future national team manager.

Cherundolo’s latest challenge has been getting the best out of Olivier Giroud, a player considered one of the best strikers of his generation, yet at 38 is past his prime playing days. Although Giroud was pivotal for AC Milan before joining LAFC, he has struggled to find the back of the net in MLS, which raises concerns.

LAFC’s style of play may not be best suited for the French striker, but the fact that Giroud has yet to score is troubling. In Cherundolo’s defense, just how much he wanted Giroud and how much was Giroud thrusted upon him remains unclear.

Coaching Style

Cherundolo favors a fluid 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 system, with his teams relying on quick transitions and talented wingers and forwards like Denis Bouanga.

His coaching approach is tactically disciplined but not obsessive, allowing for more adaptability in various situations. Cherundolo blends high pressing with a solid defensive foundation, creating a balanced style of both attacking and disciplined play.

However, like most MLS coaches, he is constrained by the salary cap. As a result, his attacking third’s power far outweighs that of his defenders, and some may argue that the 2025 roster is the weakest in club history.

LAFC has seen a ho-hum .500 start through the first four MLS regular season games, however they’ve secured a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals after finally besting the Crew in a tournament in the round of 16. Up next is Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, a tie that will surely have the entire nation buzzing.

What Cherundolo Needs to Stay in the Mix Post-2026

It’s far too early to speculate what the USMNT manger picture will look after the current World Cup cycle. But to state the obvious, Pochettino’s future will depend on how far his squad progresses in the 2026 tournament, and whether he wishes to continue in the role. He’s indicated an interest in returning to Tottenham, a comment which while harmless, still made many USMNT die-hards nervous.

If Pochettino departs, Cherundolo could be a prime candidate for the job, particularly if LAFC wins another MLS Cup or CONCACAF Champions Cup in 2025.

Consistent success in MLS may open the door for a potential U.S. national team position or an opportunity in Europe, particularly with a Bundesliga club, which seems like a natural fit for him.

After the 2026 World Cup fades into memory and talk of the “golden generation” subsides, Cherundolo could be in a strong position to continue developing the national team program. With more Americans playing in Europe than ever before, Cherundolo’s experience in both Europe and MLS will be invaluable for a national team filled with young players.

Despite some setbacks along the way, Cherundolo stands as one of the brightest and most promising American coaches in MLS and beyond. His journey has been as impressive as any American coach’s, and while this World Cup cycle may not have been the right time for him, Cherundolo should be a top contender for the next one.

American soccer fans need to accept that long-term success doesn’t come from a single magical figure but from consistent, hard work. And has there been a more hardworking American player and coach than Steve Cherundolo?