Hoops Home and Abroad: Keaton Parks continues to shine in Portugal

Welcome to another week of Big D Soccer’s coverage of your favorite players with ties to FC Dallas, the FCD Academy, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Keaton continues to shine at Benfica II, Chala’s loan finally becomes official, and Fabian’s future still hasn’t been clarified.

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Europe

Weston McKennie (AP - Schalke 04/Bundesliga): Weston did not suit up Saturday due to injury, as Schalke 04 won 2-0 at Stuttgart.

Next Match: Out six weeks.

Shaft Brewer Jr. (AP - RB Leipzig U19): Shaft did not suit up Saturday, in a 6-2 loss at Wolfsburg U19

Next Match: Hamburger SV U19 vs. RB Leipzig U19, Saturday, February 3, 4:00 am

Keaton Parks (DFW - Benfica/Primeira Liga): Keaton started for Benfica II Tuesday, against visiting Famalicao. With Benfica II already out to a 1-0 lead early, Keaton helped increase the lead:

Keaton wasn’t done, as he would chip in with a second assist on the day:

Keaton finished with two assists on the day, as Benfica II won 5-0.

And finally, there’s this:

Keaton Park’s older brother, goalkeeper Kyle Parks (22 years old), signed with SC Freamunde of the Portuguese Division 3. Kyle played college ball for Harvard (12-11-5 record in career starts), and is a former member of the FC Dallas Academy!

Next Match: Varzim vs. Benfica II, Sunday, February 4, 9:00 am

Emerson Hyndman (DFW - AFC Bournemouth): Emerson looks set to stick around AFC Bournemouth, as his rumored loan to Sunderland, never materialized. No action for Emerson this past week.

Next Match: your guess is as good as mine

Fabian Castillo (FCD - Trabzonspor/Super Lig): Fabian did not suit up Sunday for Trabzonspor’s 1-1 draw against Fenerbahce.

Rumors continue to swirl about Fabian’s impending move to Atletico Nacional (Colombia). Atletico Nacional is serious about acquiring Castillo, Trabzonspor wants to sell Castillo, and Castillo wants to move to Colombia.

So what’s the hold up?

The hold up, according to Atletico Nacional, is that Trabzonspor keeps altering their demands. According to rumors out of Turkey, Riza Calimbay (Trabzonspor manager) does not want to part ways with Castillo. Even so, Atletico Nacional continues to negotiate with Trabzonspor, and hopes to finalize a move before February 8.

Next Match: Out for three weeks.

Mexico - Apertura Torneo

Rogelio Funes Mori (DFW - Monterrey/Liga MX): Rogelio started Saturday, at Chivas de Guadalajara. Rogelio helped Monterrey strike first:

Rogelio got the assist on the first goal, and played the full match, as Monterrey won 2-1.

The victory moves Monterrey to 2nd place in the Liga MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Monterrey vs. Leon, Saturday, February 3, 7:00 pm

Alejandro Zendejas (FCD/AP - Atletico Zacatepec/Ascenso MX): Alex started last Friday, at Murcielagos. Alex played the full match, and Atletico Zacatepec played most of the match with 10 men, in a 1-0 loss.

Alex started Tuesday, against visiting Cafetaleros de Tapachula. He played the full match, as Zacatepec had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

The loss and draw, combine to drop Atletico Zacatepec to 11th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Venados vs. Atletico Zacatepec, Friday, February 2, 8:30 pm

Omar Gonzalez (DFW - Pachuca/Liga MX): Omar did not suit up Saturday, in a 3-2 loss at Tigres UANL.

The loss drops Pachuca to 11th place in the Liga MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Pachuca vs. Morelia, Saturday, February 3, 7:06pm

Atiba Harris (FCD - Murcielagos FC/Ascenso MX): Atiba suited up last Friday, but did not play, in a 1-0 victory over visiting Atletico Zacatepec.

Atiba suited up Tuesday, but did not play, in a 2-1 loss at Celaya.

Both results, combine to move Murcielagos out of the cellar, and into 14th place in the Ascenso MX Clausura Table.

Next Match: Murcielagos vs. Atletico San Luis, Friday, February 2, 10:00 pm

Central America & South America

Nicholas Hagen (AP - Municipal/Guatemala), Blas Perez (FCD - Municipal/Guatemala): Blas and Nick both started Sunday at Siquinala. Municipal fell behind 2-0, but Super Raton got them back into the match in the 72nd minute:

Municipal mounted a furious rally, but fell short, in a 2-1 loss.

Blas and Nick both started Wednesday against visiting Malacateco. Nick recorded his second clean sheet of the season, and Super Raton, put on a show:

Municipal would go on to win 2-0.

Next Match: Xelaju vs. Municipal, Saturday, February 3, 8:30 pm

Moises Hernandez (FCD/AP - Comunicaciones/Guatemala): Moises started Saturday, against visiting Suchitepequez. Moises played 60 minutes, as Los Cremas won 1-0.

Moises started Wednesday at Marquense. Moises played the full match, as Los Cremas won 1-0.

Both wins combine to move Los Cremas up to 6th place in the Liga Nacional Clausura Table.

Next Match: Comunicaciones vs. Deportivo Sanarate, Saturday, February 3, 5:00pm

Anibal Chala (FCD - LDU Quito, Loan/Ecuador): FC Dallas finally made it official:

Next Match: Deportivo Cuenca vs. LDU Quito, Saturday, February 10. Time TBA

Major League Soccer - Regular season completed

USL & NASL - Regular season completed