Of the current members on the U.S. men's national team roster, Steve Cherundolo might be the one guy who has the most reason to feel optimistic about the Americans' dismal coaching situation.

It has been eight months since former coach Bruce Arena stepped down shortly after last summer's World Cup disaster, and U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati still hasn't found a replacement. Only God knows why.

Instead, Gulati has had Bob Bradley coaching the national team for the last few months, with the "interim" tag practically embroidered on the front of his shirt.

Clearly, it's not the most comfortable of situations.

For Cherundolo, though, it's become quite typical. Since the World Cup, both Cherundolo's professional club -- Hannover 96 in Germany's Bundesliga -- and the U.S. national team have dealt with coaching changes.

The change abroad has been a success so far. When Peter Neururer stepped down as coach after Hannover 96 lost its first three matches this season by a combined 11 goals, Dieter Hecking stepped in -- and has since turned things around. Hannover 96 currently stands seventh in the 18-team Bundesliga.

"We had a slow start," said Cherundolo, a Mt. Carmel High alumnus, during a phone interview late last week. "But we changed coaches, and since then the team has found itself. Being in seventh place currently is a good place for us to be in."

Cherundolo is experiencing such a change in the U.S. for the first time. Bradley called up 13 European-based players -- including Cherundolo, a 28-year-old defender -- to training camp last week in Bradenton, Fla., to prepare for a pair of international friendlies. It's the first time a large crop of Americans from abroad has been summoned for national team duty since the World Cup. The U.S. had just a handful of European-based players for last month's friendly against Mexico.

Leading up to the Americans' 3-1 victory over Ecuador on Sunday, Cherundolo said he approved of the way Bradley had the players focused during training camp, though he stopped short of outright praise.

"Obviously, he knows his stuff," Cherundolo said of Bradley. "We've been training to make sure we have a plan and that everything looks uniform. Regardless of position, he makes sure that everyone knows what to do. I would say he's been doing a really good job."

But it's not just the change at the helm -- or lack thereof -- that makes this a crucial period for U.S. soccer. With the post-World Cup retirements of long-time greats Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride and Eddie Pope and several other players aging, the makeup of the team has also changed considerably.

The complete change from top to bottom is only natural, according to Cherundolo.

"I think every soccer federation goes through a rebuilding process after a World Cup," Cherundolo said. "Some have new coaches, some don't. There are always new guys coming in. It's a normal process. The situation with U.S. soccer isn't a whole lot different, expect for that we have a new coach."

Well, they kind of have a new coach.

Meanwhile, Cherundolo finds himself in a situation in which his role may change during the next World Cup cycle.

Cherundolo's 39 international appearances for the U.S. make him one of the more experienced players on the team. He is also among five players on the current roster who played in all three World Cup matches last year.

Should he need to take charge from now on, especially on the back line of defense, Cherundolo said he is ready.

"If I have to take on more of a leadership role, then I will," Cherundolo said. "I've been around long enough now that I feel comfortable that I can do that."

Contact staff writer Simon Samano at simon_samano@yahoo.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com.