Quick Facts
Biography
José Roberto Gomes Santana, commonly known as Zé Roberto (born September 13, 1978 in Pastos Bons) is an association footballer who currently plays for the San Diego Sockers in the PASL-Pro.
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. 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. 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.
Career
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. On April 9, 2008, Ze Roberto, Luke Kreamalmeyer and Leslie Fitzpatrick were signed by the Rochester Rhinos for the 2008 season.
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.