Tim Parker, who wrote his place in City SC history with the club’s first goal and became a prominent player in the team’s success in its inaugural season, is apparently moving on, with the team finalizing a trade that would send him to New England for center back Henry Kessler.
The potential trade was first reported by Tom Bogert of GiveMeSport.
While the deal is not finalized and the club has not confirmed the move, Parker appeared to do that on X, formerly known as Twitter, by writing, “STL, it was fun.â€
STL, it was fun.
— Tim Parker (@Tim_Parker26)
I’ve always liked arches
— Henry Kessler (@HenryKessler4)
According to GiveMeSport, New England will also receive allocation money from City SC.
Kessler is 26 and was the sixth selection overall in the 2020 MLS draft out of Virginia. He was a regular in the starting lineup for New England his first three seasons. He played only nine games last season because of a hamstring injury that kept him out much of the season. He’s played in 15 games this season for New England, which has begun to rebuild its roster after falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
City SC acquired Parker in a trade with Houston on the day of the MLS expansion draft in 2022, with Houston retaining half of his salary, and he was an integral part of the inaugural team. On a team low in MLS experience, he brought knowledge and familiarity with the league, as well as on-field leadership. On Thursday, he was on the practice field, yelling at and exhorting teammates during training at CityPark.
Parker was out of contract after this season, and at 31, he was the second-oldest player on the team, behind only goalkeeper Roman Burki. He was the runner-up in voting for MLS defensive player of the year last season, an unexpected twist for a veteran player who had never gotten much consideration before, and was chosen to the All-Star team for the first time. It was Parker who solidified the team’s defensive line in front of Burki and became a popular player in the community. Having played in a similar system with the New York Red Bulls under Bradley Carnell when he was an assistant coach there, he was integral in the team learning the system on the field.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) heads the ball during the second half of a game against the Portland Timbers FC at CityPark stadium in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) reacts after letting up the second goal of Game 2 of the MLS playoff series between Sporting Kansas City vs ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, left, and Kyle Hiebert, right, track Sporting Kansas City forward Dániel Sallói during Game 2 of the MLS playoff series between Sporting Kansas City vs ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
City SC defender Tim Parker sits on the ground after the final whistle of his team's season, which ended with a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. The victory gave Kansas City a sweep of a best-of-three playoff series.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) shoves Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar (6) after a tense moment in the match on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the CityPark stadium in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC won the match 2-0. Photo by Arthur H. Trickett-Wile, atrickett-wile@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker, left, heads the ball over Los Angeles Galaxy defender MartÃn Cáceres during an MLS match at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Sunday, June 11, 2023.Â
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Tim Parker takes the ball upfield during an MLS match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and ºüÀêÊÓƵ City at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira (10) takes control of the ball against ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Tim Parker during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's Tim Parker, center left, and teammate Niko Gioacchini crowd the goal line as Portland's Dario Zuparic, far left, defends in a game on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at CityPark.
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) tackles Minnesota United FC forward Mender GarcÃa (28) during a match at CityPark Stadium on Saturday, April 1, 2023.Â
City SC defender Tim Parker has the ball under his jersey as he runs to the outstretched arms of midfielder Eduard Lowen to celebrate his goal, the first in team history, in a game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen, left, hugs defender Tim Parker to celebrate Parker’s goal in the first half of a match against Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. After the game, fans would learn Parker and his wife, Kelsey, were expecting a baby boy in August, and he had asked her before the game if he could celebrate this way if he scored a goal as a way to announce that they were expecting a child.
Fans, from left right, father Matt and his son Miles McInnis of Wildwood and father Kiron and his son Rowen Lahiri, 9, of Town and Country, cheer as ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC forward João Klauss (9) and defender Tim Parker (26) enter the stadium for ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC MLS debut game against Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) takes the ball with his chest during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) clears the ball during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC midfielder Indiana Vassilev, left, and defender Tim Parker joke around during drills on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, on the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ, Mo. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) talks with the media after the first practice of the 2023 season at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.Â
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, right, and Jake Nerwinski run warmup sprints on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, for the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
Tim Parker: A look at the ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender
Here is a look at Tim Parker, the ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender. His hometown is Hicksville, New York. He played college soccer at St. John's.Â
Dominic Di Palermo, Post-Dispatch
City SC’s Tim Parker tries to score against Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka in a game on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at CityPark.
Dominic Di Palermo, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) heads the ball during the second half of a game against the Portland Timbers FC at CityPark stadium in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
David Carson
City SC defender Tim Parker takes a shot during a training session on City’s practice fields on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) reacts after letting up the second goal of Game 2 of the MLS playoff series between Sporting Kansas City vs ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, left, and Kyle Hiebert, right, track Sporting Kansas City forward Dániel Sallói during Game 2 of the MLS playoff series between Sporting Kansas City vs ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
City SC defender Tim Parker sits on the ground after the final whistle of his team's season, which ended with a 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. The victory gave Kansas City a sweep of a best-of-three playoff series.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
City SC's Tim Parker congratulates goalkeeper Roman Burki, right, after a 0-0 draw against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, at CityPark.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
City SC defender Tim Parker celebrates after scoring a goal during a match against Austin FC at CityPark on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Tim Parker (26) reacts after scoring during the first half Saturday, July 15, 2023, at CityPark in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
City SC's Tim Parker celebrates after scoring in first half of his team's 3-0 victory over Inter Miami on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at CityPark.
Arthur H. Trickett-Wile, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) shoves Colorado Rapids defender Lalas Abubakar (6) after a tense moment in the match on Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the CityPark stadium in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC won the match 2-0. Photo by Arthur H. Trickett-Wile, atrickett-wile@post-dispatch.com
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker, left, heads the ball over Los Angeles Galaxy defender MartÃn Cáceres during an MLS match at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Sunday, June 11, 2023.Â
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Tim Parker takes the ball upfield during an MLS match between the Los Angeles Galaxy and ºüÀêÊÓƵ City at CityPark in ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Sunday, June 11, 2023. Photo by David Carson, dcarson@post-dispatch.com
LM Otero
FC Dallas forward Jesús Ferreira (10) takes control of the ball against ºüÀêÊÓƵ City defender Tim Parker during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, May 6, 2023, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Robert Cohen photos, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's Tim Parker heads the ball over Portland's Cristhian Paredes during the first half at CityPark on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC's Tim Parker, center left, and teammate Niko Gioacchini crowd the goal line as Portland's Dario Zuparic, far left, defends in a game on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at CityPark.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker, right, heads the ball toward the Minnesota goal in a game on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at CityPark.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
City SC's Tim Parker complains about receiving a yellow card for fouling Minnesota's Luis Amarilla in a match on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at CityPark.
Michael Clubb, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) tackles Minnesota United FC forward Mender GarcÃa (28) during a match at CityPark Stadium on Saturday, April 1, 2023.Â
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
City SC defender Tim Parker has the ball under his jersey as he runs to the outstretched arms of midfielder Eduard Lowen to celebrate his goal, the first in team history, in a game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
Laurie Skrivan
City SC midfielder Eduard Lowen, left, hugs defender Tim Parker to celebrate Parker’s goal in the first half of a match against Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. After the game, fans would learn Parker and his wife, Kelsey, were expecting a baby boy in August, and he had asked her before the game if he could celebrate this way if he scored a goal as a way to announce that they were expecting a child.
Laurie Skrivan
Fans, from left right, father Matt and his son Miles McInnis of Wildwood and father Kiron and his son Rowen Lahiri, 9, of Town and Country, cheer as ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC forward João Klauss (9) and defender Tim Parker (26) enter the stadium for ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC MLS debut game against Austin FC on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Laurie Skrivan
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) takes the ball with his chest during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Laurie Skrivan
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) clears the ball during a scrimmage on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Photo by Laurie Skrivan, lskrivan@post-dispatch.com
Christian Gooden
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC midfielder Indiana Vassilev, left, and defender Tim Parker joke around during drills on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, on the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ, Mo. Photo by Christian Gooden, cgooden@post-dispatch.com
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defender Tim Parker (26) talks with the media after the first practice of the 2023 season at the club's practice facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023.Â
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
ºüÀêÊÓƵ City SC defenders Tim Parker, right, and Jake Nerwinski run warmup sprints on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, for the first day of the preseason training camp at the team's training facility in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
City SC defender Tim Parker has the ball under his jersey as he runs to the outstretched arms of midfielder Eduard Lowen to celebrate his goal, the first in team history, in a game on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Austin, Texas.