Keaton Parks

Keaton Alexander Parks (born August 6, 1997) is an American professional soccer player who plays for New York City and the United States national team as a midfielder.

Keaton Parks
Personal information
Full name Keaton Alexander Parks
Date of birth (1997-08-06) August 6, 1997
Place of birth Plano, Texas, United States
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 New York City
Number 55
Youth career
2014–2015 Liverpool Warriors
2015–2016 Varzim
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2016 Varzim B 4 (0)
2016–2017 Varzim 10 (2)
2017–2019 Benfica B 42 (7)
2017–2020 Benfica 4 (0)
2019 → New York City (loan) 22 (1)
2020– New York City 23 (3)
National team‡
2019– United States U23 2 (0)
2018 United States 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 12, 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of May 28, 2018

Club career

Born in Plano, Texas, Parks played soccer three years with Liberty High School in Frisco before joining NPSL side Liverpool Warriors.[1] With the help of his coach, Parks managed to trial at several Portuguese clubs such as Benfica, Braga and Sporting Lisbon.[1] While playing with the Warriors during a tournament in Póvoa de Varzim, Parks was scouted and signed with Varzim.[1] In signing for Varzim, Parks rejected an offer to attend Southern Methodist University and play for their soccer team.[1]

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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

On July 25, 2017, Parks signed with Portuguese champions Benfica, joining its reserve team in LigaPro.[5][6] 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.[7] Later, on December 6, Parks signed a new contract with Benfica, keeping him at the club until 2022.[8]

On January 19, 2019, Parks joined Major League Soccer side New York City FC on loan until the end of their 2019 season.[9] The deal to New York City FC was made permanent by the club on January 8, 2020.[10]

International career

Parks has been involved with the United States under-20 national team, attending a training camp in London in April 2017.[11] 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
As of September 14, 2019[12][13]
Club Season League Domestic Cup League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Varzim B 2015–16 Campeonato de Portugal40———40
Varzim 2016–17 LigaPro1021020——132
Benfica 2017–18 Primeira Liga401010—60
Benfica B 2017–18 LigaPro 297———297
2018–19 130———130
Total 427———427
New York City FC (loan) 2019 Major League Soccer 221320000253
Career total 82105230009012

References
  1. Kafai, Arman (September 30, 2016). "Plano teen takes different route to make professional debut in Portugal". Dallas News Sports Day. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
  2. "Varzim 0–2 Aves". Soccerway.
  3. "Famalicão 0–2 Varzim". Soccerway.
  4. "Varzim 2–1 Fafe". Soccerway.
  5. Keaton Parks officially signs with Benfica SportsDay
  6. "Keaton Parks reforça Benfica B" [Keaton Parks joins Benfica B]. S.L. Benfica (in Portuguese). July 25, 2017. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
  7. Ramsey, Allen (November 18, 2017). "U.S. Youngster Keaton Parks Makes First Team Debut for Benfica". goal.com.
  8. Keaton Parks renova até 2022: "Entusiasmado por começar uma nova etapa" A Bola (in Portuguese) (archived)
  9. "New York City FC Acquire Keaton Parks | New York City FC".
  10. "New York City FC Permanently Acquires Keaton Parks From S.L. Benfica | New York City FC".
  11. "Ramos calls 25 players to England for pre-World Cup training camp". U.S. Soccer.
  12. Keaton Parks at Soccerway
  13. Keaton Parks at ForaDeJogo. Retrieved August 1, 2017.
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