Ryan Guy: 'I learned my trade at St Pats and am forever grateful - it was where I was meant to play'

San Diego-born Ryan Guy came to Europe fresh out of college in 2007, seeking a professional contract with an established club and ended up with St Patrick’s Athletic in the League of Ireland.

Speaking exclusively to extratime.ie, Ryan reminisces about his time at Inchicore and subsequent appearances for the New England Revolution and Guam.

Son of a former Guam Legislature senator, Guy grew up in Carlsbad, California, enrolling in San Diego University after graduating from high school.

It was during his college years that the promising student won a host of footballing honours, in addition to turning out for both Boulder Rapids Reserve in the USL Premier Development League and Southern California Fusion, who played in the National Premier Soccer League.

With his stock high, Ryan was drafted by MLS side FC Dallas in 2007, but backed himself enough to head to Europe in search of a full-time playing contract.

“I always had the dream of playing professionally in Europe and being drafted in the MLS was proof to me that I wasn’t the only one who felt that I could perform at a higher level.

“The MLS draft is confusing, in that if you’re drafted, it doesn’t necessarily mean you get a contract – especially as someone just out of university.

“It basically means the team that drafts you is the only one in the MLS who can sign you and own the right to give you a contract.

“With that in mind and the knowledge that rookie contracts in the MLS were roughly $200 per week, I decided to pack my boots and buy a plane ticket, with the aim of securing a European contract before the MLS pre-season.

“That gave me about a month and I told myself that if I wasn’t successful, I’d return and fight for a contract Stateside.”

Following trials with respectable clubs in England and Germany, did the young winger feel he was settling for second best when he eventually agreed to join St Patrick’s Athletic?

“There was an inkling of that when I first heard about an opportunity in Ireland, but I decided to be open-minded.

“After witnessing the standard, I had no problem signing and felt blessed to do so. I learned my trade at St Pats and am forever grateful – it’s where I was meant to play.”

During his four years with the Saints, Guy experienced many memorable European ties, but still holds one above the others for special attention.

“It was a beautiful sun-drenched afternoon in Riga, Latvia when I scored an important away goal against JFK Olimps. It was a diving header that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”

While residing in Dublin, the Californian was one of only two non-Irish players (Joseph Ndo was the other) to be selected for an LOI X1 in 2010 to face Manchester United for the opening fixture at the revamped Aviva Stadium.

“That game was an incredibly special experience for me. Being a foreigner in the League of Ireland is a tough thing.

“Irish people are amongst the world’s best, but when it comes to football, they are harsh critics.

“To be chosen was a sign that I’d been accepted by the league and respected enough to face some of the game’s best, while flying the LOI banner.”

Despite the aforementioned highs, Ryan departed St Pats in early 2011 for 'personal reasons.'

“I’ll always cherish the years I played in Inchicore and will never forget my teammates, the fans (and their songs) and the friends, who became like family to my wife, my son and I, but it was time to move on and pursue a new adventure.”

That aching for a fresh challenge saw Guy return to US soil, teaming up with MLS outfit the New England Revolution, first under first Steve Nicol’s stewardship and then Jay Heaps, during a two-year spell on the east coast.

A quick glance at his statistics however, reveals that Ryan played in almost every position on the pitch, without spending any considerable period in any.

“I learned a massive amount about tactical positioning, roles and responsibilities that I hadn’t understood previously, which is helping me now in my coaching career.

“There were plenty of times that I became frustrated because of a lack of consistency. Overall, I tend to wear the fact that I was a versatile player as a badge of honour.”

It was while on the Massachusetts’ club’s payroll that Guy announced in 2012 that he’d be representing Guam at international level, debuting and featuring in all three group games of that year’s Philippine Peace Cup.

“I hadn’t conceded on ever receiving a US call-up, but at 27, was fully aware that my chances were slimmer with each passing season.

“Head coach Gary White convinced me that playing under the Guam flag could be just as fulfilling as a late-career US cap. I believe that he was right.”

Subsequent stints at the San Diego Flash (NPSL) and San Antonio Scorpions (winning the NASL Cup with the latter), preceded a player/coaching role with the NPSL’s North County Battalion in 2016.

“My time with NC Battalion was overwhelmingly positive – being able to reach the play-offs in our first year, only to lose to the eventual runners-up.

“It was incredibly difficult to manage a side properly, as well as stay sharp enough to play to my own expectations.

“Although there were some very enjoyable moments, I wouldn’t do the player/coach thing again.

“The North County Battalion has since rebranded and moved to a new league called the PDL (Premier Development League) under the name So Cal Surf.

“I decided to step down as head coach, in order to focus on helping to direct the youth academy, allowing me spend time with my family and newly-born third child.”