Parks and recreation in Lisbon: Keaton at NYCFC (on loan from Benfica)

Surprised (and Happy!) to see him promoted to prime time YA. I thought only second divisions in the top 5 qualified.

Playing on Varzim's nickname (Lobos do Mar - Sea Wolves) and the geographical location of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal, as well as my love for GOT and Keaton's relatively pale complexion, I would humbly suggest:

A King in the North: Keaton Parks at Varzim.

or;

The White Wolf: Keaton Parks at Varzim.

 

Is Varzim in 2nd or 3rd division?

 

2nd. I think they're in 15th after yesterday?

 

16th. But they are clear of the relegation playoff zone and seem to be getting better each time they play. For example, yesterday they knocked Cova out of third place.

 

I agree, Keaton and Rui Costa are their best young players lol

 

FWIW, it was Keaton that earned the game winning penalty. Despite being fouled enough for the call to be made he actually managed to score but the ref disallowed it due him needing to stop play and give the offender a second yellow.

 

Following on from what @hokeydokey said:

Nos últimos instantes da partida, Keaton marcou mas o golo foi antecedido por uma acção faltosa, dentro da área, de um jogador do Cova da Piedade, tendo sido assinalado penalti. O momento gerou muita confusão e a expulsão de Bruno Bernardo, depois de ter visto o segundo amarelo.

In the waning seconds of the match, Keaton scored but the goal was preceded by a foul in the area by a Cova da Piedade player, resulting in a penalty. The moment created much confusion and the expulsion of Bruno Bernardo, after having earned his second yellow card.

http://varzim.pt/site/uma-vitoria-cheia-de-alma/

Keaton is #6 in the photo.

 

Interview:
http://www.yanks-abroad.com/content.php?mode=show&id=12108

After getting adjusted to his new environment and playing with the team, Parks has found things a bit different this season. On September 4, he made his debut for Varzim's first team in their 2-0 loss to Desportivo Aves. While he only came into the game in the 83rd minute, he still had a great feeling to be getting his first minutes as a professional player.

"It was an amazing experience and it's what I've worked my whole life for; but it was just a small step in my career and I'm hoping for bigger things to come. I hope to have more playing time this year and help the team succeed and maybe get promoted," said Parks.

Since that first appearance, the Frisco Liberty High School alum has found himself playing more with the first and even starting some games. While the team is currently in 18th place in the standings, Parks is taking everything in stride as he strives to make it to the highest level in soccer.

 

Varzim are now up to 16th in the 22-team second division (they were 12th four weeks ago). The kid's doing well enough; he's getting PT and even if his club goes down, he'll get offers if he's a standout on a struggling team. At 19, he could find himself in D1 in 2-3 years if he keeps progressing.

 

Highlights followed by press conference (in Portuguese) with manager João Eusébio. Keaton's disallowed (due to penalty) goal starts at around 1:30.


https://www.facebook.com/varzimsportclub/videos/1257971920913289/

I kinda suck at understanding spoken Portuguese from Portugal (much different than Brazilian) but Eusébio didn't talk about any individual player. He was mostly speaking about team dynamics and motivation, etc.

 

Starts:

Ledman Ligapro | Jornada 19 | Famalicão x Varzim

Onze inicial:
Paulo Vítor, Lima Pereira, Sandro, Keaton,... https://t.co/uVxxl8Ko1a

— Varzim Sport Club (@VSC1915) December 17, 2016

 

Scores at 58'!

 

And he scores:

GOOOOLOOOOO!!

Keaton inaugura o marcador no Estádio Municipal de Famalicão https://t.co/CZgvpsYxCC

— Varzim Sport Club (@VSC1915) December 17, 2016

 

Went 92 and scored the first goal in an important road win vs Famaliçao. This win shoots them from 16th up to 10th in the table and the hits keep coming!

 

I love these Josh Gatt/Bjorn Johnson type way out of left field cases in YA

 

He scored? You get a rep, and you get a rep, and you...

 

If there are no other nominations I would ask @bungadiri to pick:

A King in the North: Keaton Parks at Varzim.

or;

The White Wolf: Keaton Parks at Varzim.

Come on guys, I know there has to be a more creative suggestion out there somewhere!

 

"O Lobo Americano: Keaton Parks in Portugal"

"O Lobo: Keaton Parks at Varzim SC"

O Lobo Branco: Keaton Parks at Varzim"

I like it!

 

Nice that his sister was in town to see him score:

😄 pic.twitter.com/1HjLZuY9kD

— Kaci Parks (@ParksKaci) December 17, 2016

 

Great story, promising player.

Is this guy an 8 or a 6?

 

An American Wolf in Varzim.

Sorry for lame suggestion

 

Most of us haven't seen many full games but he is, IMO, a versatile play maker. He has mostly lined up this year with the first team as a RM or box to box CM. I think he has the chops to play a 6 but with his height advantage, Varzim seems to play best when he gets forward. Hard to say what could develop as his best position, as he is still the youngest kid on the squad. Rui Neto, the next youngest, is six months older and everyone else are grown ass men. With the B team and Juniores, I believe he played more as a 10. @hokeydokey can probably amplify.

Fwiw, transfermarkt lists him as a DM.

 

The goal:

https://www.facebook.com/varzimsportclub/videos/1262197003824114/