U.S. Soccer has appointed Marko Mitrović as the next U.S. men’s youth national team under-23 coach, putting him in charge of the men’s soccer team that will compete at the Paris Olympics next summer.
Over the last year, the Serbian-born coach served as the U.S. men’s youth national team U-19 coach, leading the team to a 6-0-0 record, as well as an assistant to interim USMNT coaches Anthony Hudson and B.J. Callaghan during the senior team’s Concacaf Nations League title this summer.
“It’s been an honor working for U.S. Soccer and I’m tremendously proud of the opportunity to lead the USA at the Olympics,” Mitrović said in a statement.
“I’ve gotten to see first-hand the high-potential players rising through our development system and I’m excited for them to represent their country proudly on such an important stage. The Olympics will be a special platform for our players and I can’t wait to continue the preparations.”
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Mitrović’s 15-year playing career saw him play as a midfielder in multiple leagues across Eastern Europe and Central Asia in Serbia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. He then went on to become an assistant coach with multiple federations and clubs, including the Chicago Fire, Serbia U-15 and English side Reading.
“During his time with the Under-19s, Marko was instrumental in guiding our rising talents and we’re looking forward to him now leading our Under-23 Men’s Youth National Team as this age group provides these players with an incredible opportunity to continue their development by facing elite opposition on the world stage and competing for an Olympic world title,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said.
The U.S. men’s soccer team qualified for its first Olympics since 2008 after winning the Concacaf U-20 Championship in July. Under current Olympic men’s soccer rules, all but three players must be under 23 years old.
