Keaton Parks won’t return to New York City FC in 2020

One day after losing Ben Sweat to Inter Miami as the first overall selection in the MLS Expansion Draft, New York City FC announced on Wednesday another key contributor won’t be returning in 2020.

Keaton Parks is returning to Benfica after his season-long loan spell expires on Dec. 31. The 22-year-old eventually became part of the club’s midfield nucleus in the final three months of the season. Parks started 14 of the 22 matches he appeared in, scoring once and adding one assist during the regular season.

NYCFC declined options on midfielder Ebenezer Ofori, who struggled to break into the XI after Parks’ emergence and right back Eric Miller, who was brought in as depth in that position.

Midfielder Danny Bedoya, whose only minutes came in the U.S. Open Cup and spent the second half of the season on loan with Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship and defender Abdi Mohamed and goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell, both 2019 MLS SuperDraft selections who were loaned to Memphis 901 FC also didn’t have their options picked up.

NYCFC exercised the option on left back Ronald Matarrita, the Costa Rican international who is even more valuable after Sweat’s departure, center back Sebastien Ibeagha and goalkeepers Brad Stuver and Luis Barraza.

New York City has 21 players currently under contract for the 2020 season.

Goalkeeper (3): Luis Barraza, Sean Johnson, Brad Stuver

Defenders (7):  Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Sebastien Ibeagha, Ronald Matarrita, James Sands, Joe Scally, Anton Tinnerholm

Midfielders (5):  Justin Haak, Maxi Moralez, Alex Ring, Tony Rocha, Juan Pablo Torres

Forwards (6):  Valentin Castellanos, Héber, Gary Mackay-Steven, Jesus Medina, Alexandru Mitriță, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi