A rough Keaton Parks injury update as New York City FC announced that the midfielder had surgery to address blood flow issues in his right leg.
The team's statement confirming his surgery notes that Parks "underwent similar procedures in 2021 and 2022," so unfortunately this is a familiar situation for the player and the team. There's no timeline yet available for his recovery and possible return from the surgery, according to NYCFC's statement on the procedure.
Parks last played for New York City on May 31 in the second half of the 2-2 draw with Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. The Nashville game felt like a comeback for Keaton at the time, as he'd picked up two assists and logged the most minutes – the entire second half – since he left NYCFC's home win over FC Cincinnati on May 4 injured in the 26th minute, the second time he'd been forced out of a match early in addition to the team's March 22 draw with Columbus Crew.
All season long, his issue was described as a foot injury, with the problem reportedly dating back to the tail-end of the team's preseason preparations in California. When asked about the status of Parks amid his injury absences or early exits, New York City's Head Coach Pascal Jansen consistently said the team was working to figure out what was causing Keaton's problems but was light on the details or specifics around what actual injury he was dealing with.
The Nashville game ended up being the last time we'll see Parks suit up for quite some time now that this latest blood flow issue was identified and required surgery. It interrupts what had been a standout year from the team's long-tenured central midfielder. Parks through 14 MLS matches was filling the void left by the departed James Sands at the base of Pascal Jansen's midfield, ranking in the 98th percentile of MLS midfielders for his percentage of attempted dribblers tackled, the 97th percentile for clearances, and the 96th percentile for aerial challenges won.
This, as alluded to above, is not a new condition to pop up for Parks and force him to the operating table. In June 2022, Parks had surgery to correct a blood clot in his lower right leg, a repeat of a procedure he also had in early November 2021, just weeks before that year's NYCFC squad put their run together to win MLS Cup.
The recurrence of these scary vascular issues for Parks is pretty concerning. New York City's statement on the surgery quotes Sporting Director David Lee as saying that "Our medical team has engaged with several world-leading experts in vascular health, ensuring that Keaton is receiving the best medical advice in addressing the current issues and moving forward," which is both reassuring and a reminder of how serious the issues plaguing Parks can be.
You can read the entirety of the statement from NYCFC on the latest Parks surgery below. Get well soon, Keaton Parks, and hopefully the third time is the final time for a surgery like this.
NEW YORK – July 30, 2025 – New York City FC today announce that Midfielder Keaton Parks underwent surgery to address blood flow issues in his right leg.
Parks, who underwent similar procedures in 2021 and 2022, had surgery at Montefiore Hospital and will begin rehab immediately with Club medical staff.
“Keaton’s health and wellbeing is our priority. The decision to have surgery to address this issue is best for Keaton’s health both now and long-term. On behalf of everyone at the Club, I’d like to wish Keaton all the best in his recovery,” said Sporting Director David Lee. “Keaton has been an important player for us this season, and it’s disappointing to lose a player of his caliber in the middle of the campaign.
“Our medical team has engaged with several world-leading experts in vascular health, ensuring that Keaton is receiving the best medical advice in addressing the current issues and moving forward. We do not yet have a specific timeline on his recovery but will be guided by his progression through rehab.”
This season the American played a key role in the midfield for the ‘Boys in Blue’ featuring in 14 matches scoring a goal in addition to providing two assists in MLS play.
Everyone at the Club wishes Keaton all the best during his recovery.
