Jansen Praises Etihad Player of the Month Keaton Parks: “A Key Piece in Our Midfield”

As New York City FC prepare for a demanding month of fixtures, Keaton Parks continues to shine at the heart of midfield — earning recognition as Etihad Player of the Month for April.

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with FC Cincinnati, head coach Pascal Jansen highlighted Parks’ growing influence and importance within the squad.

“Keaton is a very important player for us—a key piece,” Jansen said.
“You can see the difference when he’s on the pitch. Our midfield shape improves, our control of the game is better. He’s evolving into a player who reads the game well and understands when to drop deeper to help in possession—more so than in previous seasons.”

Parks has become a stabilizing force for NYCFC, offering both composure on the ball and tactical awareness without it. His ability to shift the rhythm of play has helped Jansen execute his vision of a more adaptive, fluid midfield.

“Ultimately, what we want is a fluid midfield—players who recognize space, create problems for the opponent, and make smart decisions,” Jansen added.
“Keaton is showing he can do that consistently.”

With Parks growing in confidence and intelligence, his role will be critical as NYCFC aim to navigate a busy stretch of MLS and U.S. Open Cup matches. For Jansen, his development reflects the kind of evolution that can push the team to a higher level — both structurally and mentally.