Keaton Alexander Parks (born August 6, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York City FC.
Club career Born in Plano, Texas, Parks played soccer three years with Liberty High School in Frisco before joining NPSL side Liverpool Warriors. With the help of his coach, Parks managed to trial at several Portuguese clubs such as Benfica, Braga and Sporting CP. While playing with the Warriors during a tournament in Póvoa de Varzim, Parks was scouted and signed with Varzim. In signing for Varzim, Parks rejected an offer to attend Southern Methodist University and play for their soccer team. Varzim After playing for Varzim's reserve side for a season, Parks made his professional debut for the club in a LigaPro match on September 4, 2016, against Aves. He came on as an 83rd-minute substitute for Diego Barcelos as Varzim lost 2–0. Parks then established himself as a regular starter for the side and then scored his first two professional goals during two matches. The first goal came on December 17, 2016, against Famalicão. His 52nd-minute strike was the first of two as Varzim won 2–0. His second goal came in the next match on December 21 against Fafe. His 69th-minute goal was the equalizer for Varzim as they eventually won the match 2–1.
On July 25, 2017, Parks signed with Portuguese champions Benfica, joining its reserve team in LigaPro. His first appearance for the senior team came in the 71st minute of the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal, against Vitória in November that year. Later, on December 6, Parks signed a new contract with Benfica, keeping him at the club until 2022.
On January 19, 2019, Parks joined Major League Soccer side New York City FC on loan until the end of their 2019 season. The deal to New York City FC was made permanent by the club on January 8, 2020.
International career Parks has been involved with the United States national under-20 team, attending a training camp in London in April 2017. He received his first senior call-up for a friendly against Bolivia on May 28, 2018, making his debut in that match as a 61st-minute substitute for Joe Corona.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsVarzim B2015–16Campeonato de Portugal40————40Varzim2016–17LigaPro1021020——132Benfica2017–18Primeira Liga401010——60Benfica B2017–18LigaPro297————2972018–19130————130Total6092030——659New York City FC (loan)2019MLS2213210——263New York City FC2020233—1030102832021314———103242022182203060103022023322———303522024322—40—40402202500—00—0000Total1581452909010019116Career total21823721209010025625
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsUnited States201810Total10
Honors New York City FC MLS Cup: 2021 Campeones Cup: 2022
References
External links
MLS player profile