| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | José Roberto Gomes Santana | ||
| Date of birth | September 13, 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Pastos Bons, Brazil | ||
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | San Diego Boca FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1998–2000 | Tuna Luso Brasileira | ||
| 1998 | → Palmeiras (loan) | ||
| 1999 | → Corinthians (loan) | ||
| 1999 | → Seà San Carlese (loan) | ||
| 2000–2001 | Hershey Wildcats | 50 | (9) |
| 2002–2007 | Montreal Impact | 138 | (17) |
| 2007 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 6 | (0) |
| 2007–2008 | Detroit Ignition (indoor) | ||
| 2007–2009 | Rochester Rhinos | 32 | (4) |
| 2011– | San Diego Boca FC | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 4, 2010. † Appearances (Goals). |
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José Roberto Gomes Santana, commonly known as Zé Roberto (born September 13, 1978 in Pastos Bons) is an association footballer who most recently played for the Rochester Rhinos in the USL First Division. Zé Roberto began his career in his native Brazil, where he played with several clubs in the lower divisions. In 2002, he went abroad to North America to sign with the Hershey Wildcats of the A-League. It was there he was first introduced to Bob Lilley, who first deployed him as a playmaker that would lead him to prominence.
After the Wildcats folded, Zé Roberto was signed by the Montreal Impact in 2002. In Montreal he played an important role that would transform the Impact into a league powerhouse that would eventually dominate the league for latter part of the decade. His accolades during his tenure with Montreal include the League Championship, Regular-Season Championship, and the Voyageurs Cup. Following a successful run with the Impact, Zé Roberto had injury prone seasons during the end of his career that would restrict his appearances throughout the season. On January, 2010 he was ranked 22nd in the USL First Division Top 25 of the Decade, which announced a list of the best and most influential players of the previous decade.[1]
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Zé Roberto began his football career with Tuna Luso Brasileira where he played for three seasons. He also had stints with Palmeiras, Corinthians and Seà San Carlese.
In 2000, Zé Roberto went abroad to the United States to sign a contract with the Hershey Wildcats of the A-League. In his debut season he amassed five goals and 3 assists in a total of 25 games. His contributions led to him being named Hershey’s Rookie of the Year. The following year he helped the Wildcats post the best record (16–7–3) and the best offence (45 goals scored) in the Northern Conference, which enabled the club to reach the post season. In the post season, Ze Roberto guided Hershey to the finals of the championship game but were beaten 2–0 by the Rochester Rhinos. Once the season came to a conclusion he was picked on a select team of A-League players that toured Portugal to face the reserve teams of Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, as well as against the U-21 Portuguese national football team.
In 2002 the Hershey Wildcats announced the folding of the club, which meant the release of all players from their contracts. He was then subsequently offered a contract from the Montreal Impact where he was reunited by his former head coach Bob Lilley. In his first season he was named Impact's Newcomer of the Year, and won the Voyageurs Cup. His sophomore season was his most productive offensive season by scoring six goals, adding five assists while being named to the A-League All League Second Team. In 2004, Zé Roberto was a dominate factor in Montreal's league winning season, where he started in all five playoff games and set-up the championship-winning goal that won the franchise's second league championship. Other accolades achieved throughout the season was winning the Voyageurs Cup for a record third consecutive year and being awarded the Unsung Hero Award, as well a selection into the A-League Second All-League team for the second time in his career.
The 2005 season embarked another successful stint with the Impact for Zé Roberto, as he helped the club to a 15-game undefeated streak which marked a new league record. Unfortunately for him he suffered a knee sprain injury on August 7, 2005 in a match against the Atlanta Silverbacks, which ruled him out for the rest of the season. Though he did manage to help the Impact claim the regular-season title. In 2006, he signed a new three year deal with Montreal. During the 2006 season he became the 10th player in club history to reach the 100 career games played mark with the Impact on June 24, 2006. Once again suffered an injury on August 25, 2006 forcing him to miss the rest of the season as well as the playoffs, but was able to defend their regular-season title and Voyageurs Cup for the fifth consecutive time.
Midway through the 2007 season, Zé Roberto was traded to the Vancouver Whitecaps on July 26, 2007 along with Alen Marcina for Joey Gjertsen and David Testo.[2] During his short tenure with Vancouver he appeared in a total of six matches and helped the team clinch a playoff berth. In the club's playoff round the Whitecaps were eliminated by the Portland Timbers in the first round of the United Soccer Leagues First Division playoffs. After the 2007 USL season ended, Zé Roberto was signed by the Detroit Ignition of the Major Indoor Soccer League, soon to be followed by his Whitecaps coach Bob Lilley.
On April 9, 2008, Ze Roberto, Luke Kreamalmeyer and Leslie Fitzpatrick were signed by the Rochester Rhinos for the 2008 season.[3] During the season he appeared in 15 matches and scored three goals, but once more he suffered an injury which reduced his season. He contributions allowed the Rhinos into the playoffs by finishing fourth in the standings. In the club's playoff run the Rhinos defeated Charleston Battery in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals. There the Rhinos were defeated by the Puerto Rico Islanders on a 3–2 aggregate on goals.
On February 17, 2009, the Rhinos announced the re-signing of Ze Roberto and along with striker Chris Sanders to a one-year deal with a one-year option for 2010.[4] The following season he led the Rhinos to a sixth place finish in the standings enough to clinch a playoff spot. In the post season the Rhinos were eliminated in the quarterfinals by the Islanders once again on a 5–3 aggregate on goals. In 2010, Ze Roberto was once again reunited with his former mentor Bob Lilley, as he was appointed the new head coach for Rochester. Due to the significant restructuring of the organization he was deemed surplus to the Rhinos and his one-year option in his contract was not renewed making him a free agent.