Cherundolo has been working with a group of young players in Georgia, while Pochettino remains involved in the process. The reported aim is to connect the under-23 setup with the senior national team, giving emerging talents a clearer route into the international picture.
The group reportedly includes 10 players:
For the United States, that continuity could prove important. The men’s team has struggled to maintain a regular Olympic presence, and Los Angeles offers an opportunity to develop a generation under intense home scrutiny.
The Olympic project is long-term, but the senior team also faces an immediate concern with Ricardo Pepi. The striker is reportedly recovering from an injury suffered while playing for PSV, with no detailed diagnosis or return date provided.
Pepi was reportedly forced off early against FC Twente, making his availability a question for PSV and the national team. His goalscoring form and international experience make him an important part of the United States’ wider forward options, even if the Olympic squad itself will be shaped by age eligibility.
The report says PSV are scheduled to face Heerenveen on 9 October, a fixture that could offer the first indication of Pepi’s recovery.
The next storyline is therefore twofold: whether Pochettino and Cherundolo can turn Olympic planning into a genuine development pipeline, and whether Pepi can return quickly enough to support the senior team’s upcoming commitments.