Mar 7, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City midfielder Keaton Parks (55) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal of the match against Orlando City during the second half at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Keaton Parks scored his first goal in 335 days, and his first brace since June 2019, against Orlando City during New York City FC’s 5-0 home-opening win over the weekend. He was awarded Man of the Match on his first return to Yankee Stadium since a health scare in which he encountered blood flow issues in his leg.
“It was fun,” Parks told amNY after the match. “The whole team performed well tonight, obviously took advantage of the red card, but it’s always fun to score.”
He was the only Boy in Blue to get on the scoresheet twice before being substituted in the 70th minute for Raul Gustavo. NYCFC were up by three in the first half after Orlando goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was sent off for handling the ball outside of the box.
The midfielder returned to the team this season after being sidelined for most of the 2025 season, coming off the bench against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Matchday 1 and starting against the Philadelphia Union last week.
“I absolutely had thoughts like that, which I think was the toughest part of all,” Parks said. “I still have doubts some days that I’ll be able to do this for as long as I want to, and we’ll just see where it goes. But it’s for now, out of my control. I’m doing everything I can to stay healthy and to continue to be healthy.”
Parks faced an uphill battle to return after being a “unique case.”
“According to [the doctors at Montefiore Einstein], there’s nobody in sports that’s had three of the same surgery, so it’s all theoretical guesswork by very educated people, of course,” Parks said. “But as of right now, we’re just doing everything we can.”
It only seemed fitting that his first goal since April 2025 was in front of the bouncing supporters’ section at the same stadium he last scored in against Minnesota United. It was also his first brace in his MLS career, and a career second after notching one against North Carolina FC in the U.S. Open Cup in 2019.
A poor Orlando clearance fell to Tayvon Gray, who also had a spectacular game following his injury-time winner against Philadelphia last weekend. The right-back bombed forward immediately, taking a good first touch to set himself up for a cross with his second touch. A knee-height pass was blasted towards Parks, who duly tapped it into the back of the net from six yards out.
After celebrating with his teammates, he turned around to face the supporters’ section in the north end of the stadium, who roared their approval in return.
“I’m very pleased that he got himself into the box and scored,” head coach Pascal Jansen said after the match. “The timing of the run was good, and that’s good for the team.”
The right wing was productive all afternoon for NYCFC, with Gray and Agustin Ojeda terrorizing Orlando’s left flank for the first four goals. The fifth, and Parks’ second, came from the right wing again — Maxi Moralez drifted out wide to swing in an early cross into the box.
Parks nodded the ball on towards Hannes Wolf, but the Austrian winger couldn’t take the ball down well. However, Griffin Dorsey made a mess of the clearance, only clearing it three yards into Parks’ stride.
The No. 55 took a touch with his right foot and swept the ball into the far right corner with his left foot in one swift move. Parks raised his head into the sky like he could not believe he had scored again.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Parks said. “Coming back from my injury and everything, to be able to do that — score two goals, it’s just exciting…I’ve been working hard for this. I’m going to keep working hard to see if I can keep this flow going.”
