Original franchise signee Sam Guernsey reinventing himself with Cedar Rapids Rampage United

CEDAR RAPIDS — More than any other player, Sam Guernsey has witnessed the complete evolution of Cedar Rapids professional soccer.

The 24-year-old Oklahoma native is the last man standing from the first batch of player signings by the Rampage indoor team almost two years ago. Through two Major Arena Soccer League seasons and in the midst of a second season with the Rampage United outdoor squad, Guernsey has fully embraced the pull of his adopted city.

'The one thing I've learned about Cedar Rapids? It's the people,' said Guernsey, who will help the first-place Rampage United (7-0-0, 21 points) tussle with Aurora Borealis (2-5-1, 7) in a Premier League of America match Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Kingston Stadium. 'There are numerous people that are willing to just help. They want to make this franchise successful. People like that, that's what gets it going. That's what helps it stay alive.'

All youth soccer players wearing their jersey will be admitted to the match free of charge.

Guernsey won a state championship for Broken Arrow (Okla.) High School in 2011, then played collegiately for two years at Oklahoma Christian University. His professional debut arrived via the now-defunct Tulsa Revolution indoor franchise, which folded after the 2014-15 MASL season.

Just when it appeared the dissolution of his hometown pro team may signal the start of his life away from the field, Guernsey received an unexpected call from the Rampage to join the new MASL franchise. Within an hour, Guernsey had made up his mind.

'I love this game, I had to just throw myself into it,' Guernsey said. 'A lot of people get stuck in their comfort zones and the only way to really grow is throw yourself out of your comfort zone and then gain on that and that is what I kind of think I did. Unknown city, unknown franchise, unknown coach. A lot of unknowns, but now I know a lot about this place and quite frankly, I love it.'

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Guernsey has reinvented his game during his time in Cedar Rapids. After a promising 2015-16 indoor season in which he posted nine goals and two assists in 20 games as a midfielder for a five-win team, he played sparingly last summer with the outdoor squad.

'That really allowed me to sit on the outside and spectate the game, see how it is played and see how (Rampage United Coach) Hewerton (Moreira) likes to play the game,' Guernsey said.

The team's successful outdoor debut — the Rampage United (5-2-4) reached the 2016 PLA championship tournament — prompted club management to name Moreira player-coach for year two of the indoor team. The result was a seven-game improvement in the MASL standings, serious playoff contention and an improved Guernsey.

'He's a young player with a lot of heart and desire for the game itself,' Moreira said. 'In his second year with the team, from when he started the season and how he ended the season, it was completely different. He started as, not a rookie, but a young player, to finish the season like a veteran. He stepped up his game and he was one of the players that I trust the most.'

Guernsey has enjoyed a significant increase in playing time during his second PLA season as Moreira has converted the indoor midfielder into a coveted fit at left back. Over the last two home games, Guernsey has collected a goal and an assist.

'With the ball, he's a very simple guy which makes the team very effective,' Moreira said. 'He makes the speed of the team higher, as well, because he's simple. He doesn't take a lot of touches on the ball, he doesn't make the wrong pass. He moves, he goes behind lines, he sprints when he has to. He loves to block shots.'

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com