When Keaton Parks joined New York City FC in the offseason, he looked like a sure-thing starter.

His objective was clear: He joined NYCFC on loan via Benfica to get first-team minutes. He hoped it could get him more time in Portugal or in New York City. He wants to be a starter for the United States men’s national team.

But it hasn’t happened yet. Through three games, the 21-year-old has played a whopping two minutes, with his lone appearance coming as an 88th-minute substitute in the 2-2 draw on opening day against Orlando City.

But two minutes was enough for Parks to get an extended look with the Under-23 US team under ex-NYCFC boss Jason Kreis. From accounts, Parks excelled in the first two friendlies of the cycle against Egypt and the Netherlands. He wants to help the US qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan, especially since the US has missed the last two Olympics due to qualifying woes.

“I just have to get back in the attack,” Parks told The Post on Thursday. “Being able to put that into a couple of games with the U-23s really helped me just get some of the feel back for the position. I’m hoping to put that towards my performance here in New York.”

With the U-23s, Parks started both matches and played 84 minutes in the 0-0 draw to the Netherlands. In both matches, he played in an attacking midfield role, specifically the No. 8. It’s a switch for Parks, who, with Benfica B, almost exclusively played as a defensive midfielder and said his coaches often emphasized they wanted him to stay back more.

So, there’s been a little transitional phase for Parks.

“I definitely lost some of my attack sense,” Parks said about adjusting back into attack. “But I also learned a lot on the defensive side of the ball. But I think it was for the best of me to be in that position and go through that. Getting back into that, I’m a little bit rusty, but it’s coming back slowly.”

In training, Parks said he’s played at the No. 8 the most, but coach Domenec Torrent still has him playing other roles, including the No. 6. In past years, Parks’ versatility would have been something that could be used, but just not yet due to small tinkering elsewhere.

James Sands’ emergence at the No. 6 has allowed captain Alex Ring to move into the box-to-box, forward-thinking role that Parks was pegged for. While Ring has done well, he’s not exactly an offensive-first midfielder and certainly didn’t establish himself as one of MLS’ top defensive midfielders over the last two years in that role.

“Part of the game is that not everyone can play,” Parks said. “There’s always players on every team that are going to be on the bench or don’t make the roster in games. It’s just part of it. I’m going to keep working hard and try to earn my spot whenever it presents itself.”