Grasshoppers FC
Passion.
Fearlessness.
Respect.
Why are we different?
What Our Players & Families Are Saying
Discover what makes our club special through the voices of our players, parents, and community members. From game-day excitement to personal growth, these stories highlight the passion, teamwork, and positive impact our club brings to the field and beyond.
Our Story
Grasshoppers FC was born from a chance encounter in 2020, when two of our founding members—Jamie Chiero and Matt Salmon—crossed paths on a recreational soccer field while coaching their young sons. Though they had competed against each other in high school, they hadn’t seen each other in over 20 years. That unexpected meeting led to a conversation rooted in their shared love of soccer and a desire to pass that passion on to their kids.
From that connection, the first Grasshoppers team was formed—a group of young players who thrived in an environment built on fearless play, risk-taking, and learning through mistakes. Wins and losses were never the focus; instead, the emphasis was on development, enjoyment, and the growth of each player within a supportive and challenging setting.
The success of that first team led to the natural formation of more teams, each built with the same foundational values. The second Grasshoppers team, like the first, was led by a parent-coach who brought both personal investment and a strong soccer background. Year after year, the club grew organically, with new teams added—the 2016s led by Marc D’Auteuil and Lindsey Williams, the 2017s led by founding member Ryan Miller, and the 2018s formed more recently by Marc.
Each new team carried forward the tradition of excellence while forging its own identity and success. Today, Grasshoppers FC has earned a reputation across Central Ohio for developing competitive, skillful, and confident players—all while remaining a volunteer-run club, led by parent-coaches who have played at the collegiate or professional level and bring years of coaching experience in club, high school, and college soccer.
What started as a single team of young boys with potential has grown into a community of passionate families, talented players, and dedicated coaches. The foundation remains the same: a love for the game, a commitment to the kids, and a belief in the power of soccer to teach life’s most important lessons.
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Our Grasshoppers FC teams are in full swing this spring, and it’s been awesome to see the energy and growth across all age groups. Here are a few recent goal highlights: ⚽ Abbi (2012 Girls) ⚽ Koeller (2014 Boys) ⚽ Bowen (2015 Boys) ⚽ Reid (2016 Boys) ⚽ Ryne (2017 Boys) ⚽ Ezra (2018 Boys) 🔥 Let's go Hoppers!Button
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Grasshoppers FC is pleased to welcome Brady West to our coaching staff! A standout at Ohio Wesleyan University, he earned two-time All-American honors, was named NCAC Player of the Year, and started all 80 matches of his collegiate career while leading his teams to consistent NCAA Tournament success. His experience—from championship-winning high school programs to competing professionally in USL League Two—gives him a unique ability to connect elite performance with player development. We look forward to the impact he will make on our players. To learn more about Brady and to sign up for tryouts, head over to Grasshoppers-FC.com. #developedhereButton
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What a memorable moment for Grasshoppers FC at the Battle of the Bubble Championship @scottsmiraclegrofield ! 🌟 An all-Grasshopper final made it even more special—huge congratulations to our 2017 and 2018 Grasshopper teams for an unforgettable experience.Button
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🚨 BIG NEWS 🚨 Grasshoppers FC is proud to welcome current Columbus Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush to our coaching staff! 🟡⚫️ With an incredible 18-year professional career—including 15 seasons in MLS—and a standout run at the University of Akron, Evan brings elite-level experience and knowledge straight to our players. As a current Columbus Crew player, he understands exactly what it takes to compete and succeed at the highest level of the game. A USSF “B” licensed coach, Evan has already made a strong impact in the coaching world, working with Ohio Dominican University, Classics Eagles, Ohio North ODP, and top goalkeeper academies. His passion for developing athletes, especially goalkeepers, focuses on technique, decision-making, and building confidence on and off the field. This is a huge moment for our club and an amazing opportunity for our players to learn from one of the best. Welcome to Grasshoppers FC, Evan! 💪⚽️ #developedhereButton
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Grasshoppers FC is excited to welcome Craig Neal to our coaching staff, bringing close to 20 years of expertise across youth, club, and collegiate levels. With a distinguished background coaching for Crew Juniors, Classic Eagles, and as an assistant at Ohio Wesleyan University, Craig has a proven track record of developing athletes who successfully transition to the collegiate and professional ranks. His deep understanding of the game is rooted in an accomplished playing career, which includes All-American honors at Ohio Wesleyan University, a stint with the Columbus Crew Reserves, and being drafted into the Major Indoor Soccer League. We are delighted to have his leadership and experience guiding the next generation of Grasshoppers talent! ⚽️ #developedhereButton
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Big news for our youngest Grasshoppers! ✨⚽ We’re excited to announce that our U9 and U10 age groups will feature familiar coaching faces this fall! Why does this matter? At this "Golden Age" of development, continuity in coaching allows us to build on the technical foundations already in place—fostering a faster-paced environment where players feel confident to take risks. With an elite, proven player development ecosystem, this focus provides: ✅ Consistent, high-level technical training ✅ A positive, growth-oriented environment ✅ A pathway to long-term success Head to Grasshoppers-Fc.com to meet the coaches and register for tryouts today! #developedhere #GrasshoppersFCButton
















