Houston Dynamo FC acquired defender Tim Parker from the New York Red Bulls in exchange for $300,000 in General Allocation Money in 2021 and $150,000 General Allocation Money in 2022 with additional performance-based incentives, the Club announced today.
The six-year MLS veteran joins Houston after three seasons with the Red Bulls. The Hicksville, New York native has appeared in 155 games and earned 147 starts in Major League Soccer. Parker began his professional career with the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2015 after four years at St. John’s University.
“Adding Tim Parker addresses our top priority this offseason of strengthening the center of our defense while getting younger, more athletic and bringing a top-quality leader into our group,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Jordan. “Tim brings a winning mentality on the field and into the locker room every dayand has the characteristics that fit well into our system and style of play.”
Parker joins the Dynamo after three consecutive appearances in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with the Red Bulls. The 27-year-old recorded 18 starts in 19 appearances in 2020 for New York and finished with the second most clearances (58) and blocks (10) on the team.
“Tim is a winner, a leader and a fundamental piece for our Club as we build for the upcoming season and our future, both on-and-off the field,” Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos said.
Parker was one of three players to play every minute of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League for the Red Bulls and finished the 2019 MLS season with 26 starts in 31 appearances. The defender also scored his first postseason goal in the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Union.
The defender started 29 games and was key in recording 13 of New York’s league-best 14 shutouts during the 2018 MLS regular season. Parker also claimed the 2018 Supporter’s Shield with the Red Bulls, which set a record with 71 points earned during the regular season.
Parker started in 14 of his 15 appearances as a rookie for the Vancouver Whitecaps in 2015. The New York native helped Vancouver to the postseason in his first campaign with the club and started both legs of the Western Conference semifinals against the Portland Timbers, earning Man of the Match honors in the return leg. He solidified a spot on the starting roster the following season and finished with the second-most minutes amongst field players with 2,551 and finished with 28 starts in 29 appearances.
The defender returned to the postseason in 2017 after he started in all 32 of his regular season appearances for the Whitecaps. Parker earned club Player of the Month honors in March and May and finished the season as the club Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero.
Internationally, the defender has earned two caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team. Parker made his debut with the USMNT against Ireland on June 2, 2018 and started in the following game against France on June 9. He has also represented the U.S. at the U-23 and U-18 level, competing in the playoffs to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Parker played collegiately for St. John’s University and finished with 79 appearances in his four years for the Red Storm. He was a three-time United Soccer Coaches All-Region selection and earned first team All-Big East Honors in 2013. The defender was also a Big East All-Rookie selection following his freshmen season and won the 2011 Big East Tournament. He signed for the Big Red after earning Gatorade New York Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors in 2011.
With the addition of Parker, the Dynamo now have 26 players on the active roster as they prepare for the 2021 MLS season.
TRANSACTION: Houston Dynamo FC acquire defender Tim Parker in a trade with the New York Red Bulls in exchange for $300,000 in 2021 General Allocation Money and $150,000 in 2022 General Allocation Money with additional performance-based incentives.
