Steve Cherundolo is open to a transfer to MLS when his contract at Hannover ends this summer.
“It’s always something that I am interested in. I follow the league, it is a great little league,” Cherundolo told ESPN.
“Good friends have moved back home recently. Carlos Bocanegra is there and has wonderful things to say about the league. And obviously playing at home is something much different from anything we’ve been used to. We spent our whole careers away from home. It’s something that definitely interests me.”
It’s a decision that Cherundolo will hold off making until May, instead choosing to focus on recovering from the knee injury that sidelined him last season. He returned to the Hannover bench for the 0-0 draw against Eintracht Braunschweig last Friday and is hoping to play in his first match this Thursday against second tier club FC St. Pauli.
“I love what I do, I love being part of this team and I also have a responsibility to the team,” he said. “I was made captain again this season. It’s not also my job or duty to get back on the field it’s also fun for me. I enjoy a challenge and it is challenging: 34 years of age, having three surgeries, finding that motivation to make it back on the field.”
“There were times when my knee wasn’t getting any better and neither the doctors nor I had any idea or way of going about the future. Now the only thing left is sharpening my skills again and getting match fitness.”
Cherundolo has played in three World Cups already and still entertains hope that he could make the squad for Brazil 2014. “If Jurgen [Klinsmann] seems to think that I can make the team better nothing will make me happier than joining.”
While pulling on the Stars & Stripes this summer may be a longshot, extending his career in MLS looks a real possibility. Despite his age, Cherundolo has continually shown the drive to get himself healthy and play with consistency at the highest level. Assuming he makes a full recovery from his most recent injury, it’s hard to imagine an MLS side that wouldn’t deem him a valuable addition.
