Steven Vitória
Vitória with Canada at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Steven de Sousa Vitória[1]
Date of birth (1987-01-11) 11 January 1987[1]
Place of birth Toronto, Canada[1]
Height 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Chaves
Number 19
Youth career
Sudbury Lions
CS Azzurri
Mississauga Falcons
Dixie SC
Kleinburg-Nobleton SC
Glen Shields SC
2004–2005 Woodbridge Strikers
2005–2006 Porto
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006–2010 Porto 0 (0)
2006–2007 → Tourizense (loan) 11 (2)
2007–2009 → Olhanense (loan) 35 (1)
2009–2010 → Covilhã (loan) 24 (1)
2010–2013 Estoril 79 (19)
2013–2014 Benfica B 7 (3)
2013–2016 Benfica 1 (0)
2015 → Philadelphia Union (loan) 18 (1)
2016–2019 Lechia Gdańsk 37 (2)
2019–2022 Moreirense 56 (10)
2022– Chaves 42 (7)
International career‡
2006 Portugal U19 5 (0)
2006–2007 Portugal U20 6 (0)
2016– Canada 46 (5)
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's soccer
CONCACAF Nations League
Runner-up2023
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:44, 7 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22 November 2023

Steven de Sousa Vitória (born 11 January 1987) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a centre-back for Primeira Liga club Chaves and the Canada national team.

Having started out at Porto, he went on to play for several clubs in Portugal in both the Primeira Liga and the Segunda Liga, this including a one-year spell at Benfica. He also competed professionally in the United States and Poland.

Vitória is a Canadian international, making his debut in 2016 at the age of 29, after previously representing Portugal at youth international level. He was part of the squads at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2017, 2021 and 2023, reaching the semi-finals in 2021, as well as at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Portuguese immigrants from the Azores,[2][3] Vitória played youth soccer with the Sudbury Lions, CS Azzurri, Mississauga Falcons, Dixie SC, Kleinburg-Nobleton SC, and Glen Shields SC.[4] He joined the Woodbridge Strikers at the age of 17, being deployed mainly as a striker. He was approached to appear for Canada's youth national teams on multiple occasions after leaving the country,[2] but declined each time.[5]

Club career

Porto

Vitória was signed by FC Porto at the age of 18, already reconverted as a central defender. In the following years he began a series of loans, starting out at G.D. Tourizense in the third division then joining S.C. Olhanense for two years,[6] and helping the Algarve side promote to the Primeira Liga in his second season by appearing in 18 games, 15 as a starter.[7][8][9]

In the 2009–10 campaign, Vitória continued on loan, this time with S.C. Covilhã in the Segunda Liga.[10] He played his first official match for his new club on 2 August 2009, in a 1–0 away win against A.D. Carregado in the Taça da Liga.[11]

Estoril

Vitória cut all ties with Porto in July 2010,[12] signing with G.D. Estoril Praia in the second division. In his debut season in the top flight, 2012–13, he played 27 games and scored 11 goals to finish ninth in the top scorers' chart[13]– eight of them from penalties – to help his team finish fifth and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.[14][15][16]

Benfica

Free agent Vitória joined S.L. Benfica on 16 June 2013, signing a four-year contract;[17][18] he called the day of his signing "the most important and happiest day of my life".[19] His only league appearance took place in the last day of the season as the club had already been crowned champions, and he played the full 90 minutes in a 2–1 loss at former side Porto.[20][21]

Vitória was an unused substitute in Benfica's loss in the Europa League final to Sevilla FC on penalties.[22] After becoming unsatisfied with his status,[23] he was targeted by Real Betis[24][25] and C.S. Marítimo.[26]

On 9 February 2015, Vitória was loaned to Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union for one season.[27][28] He scored his first goal for the team in his hometown, in a 3–1 away defeat to Toronto FC,[29] being released in December after the club declined against exercising its contract option on the player.[30]

Lechia Gdańsk

Vitória joined Lechia Gdańsk on 17 August 2016, signing a three-year contract.[31] He made his debut on 21 September, playing the entire round-of-16 penalty shootout loss to Puszcza Niepołomice in the Polish Cup (1–1 after 120 minutes).[32]

Moreirense

Vitória returned to Portugal to sign with Moreirense F.C. on 4 July 2019, agreeing to a three-year deal.[33] He made his debut on 11 August, playing the entire 3–1 defeat at S.C. Braga.[34] He scored his first goal on 2 November, in a 1–1 home draw against Vitória de Guimarães.[35]

Chaves

On 4 July 2022, after being relegated, the 35-year-old Vitória joined newly promoted G.D. Chaves for an undisclosed fee.[36] He scored his first goal on 27 August, a powerful long-range header to open the 2–0 victory at Sporting CP.[37] Totalling seven goals, he led the squad alongside Héctor Hernández in a seventh-place finish.[38]

International career

Portugal

Vitória represented Portugal at the 2006 Lusophony Games in Macau, the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in Poland[39] and the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in his birth nation. In the latter tournament, he featured in the 2–1 group stage loss to Gambia.[40]

Canada

In September 2012, without having been capped at senior level, 25-year-old Vitória considered switching allegiance to Canada.[3] In January 2016, he accepted a call-up by the country for a friendly against the United States on 5 February,[41] and played the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 defeat at the Home Depot Center.[42] He scored his first goal on 6 October, helping to a 4–0 friendly win over Mauritania.[43]

Vitória was named to the Canadian squads for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2017[44] and 2021.[45] In the latter tournament, he captained the side to the semi-final, where he was suspended for the 2–1 defeat to Mexico in Houston.[46]

In November 2022, Vitória was included in the squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[47] He made his debut in the competition on the 23rd at the age of 35, in a 1–0 loss against Belgium.[48]

In June 2023, Vitória was selected for the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.[49] Later that month, he made the final 23-man squad due to appear at the 2023 Gold Cup.[50] In the quarter-finals against the United States in Cincinnati, he equalized in added time in a 1–1 draw, but his attempt in the shootout was saved by Matt Turner in a Canadian defeat.[51]

Style of play

Vitória is known for his heading, marking and scoring abilities, especially on penalty kicks and free kicks.[52][53]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 27 May 2023[54][55][56]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Porto 2006–07 Primeira Liga 0000000000
Tourizense (loan) 2006–07 Segunda Divisão 1120000—112
Olhanense (loan) 2007–08 Liga de Honra 1701020—200
2008–09 Liga de Honra 1816010—251
Total 351703000451
Covilhã (loan) 2009–10 Liga de Honra 2410040—281
Estoril 2010–11 Liga de Honra 2510050—301
2011–12 Liga de Honra 2772172—3610
2012–13 Primeira Liga 27110032—3013
Total 791921154009624
Benfica B 2013–14 Segunda Liga 73———73
Benfica 2013–14 Primeira Liga 1010300050
2014–15 Primeira Liga 0000000000
2015–16 Primeira Liga 0000000000
Total 1010300050
Philadelphia Union (loan) 2015 MLS 18100——181
Lechia Gdańsk 2016–17 Ekstraklasa 8010——90
2017–18 Ekstraklasa 14110——151
2018–19 Ekstraklasa 15151——202
Total 372710000443
Moreirense 2019–20 Primeira Liga 1951010—215
2020–21 Primeira Liga 1933100—224
2021–22 Primeira Liga 18211001[lower-alpha 1]0203
Total 56105210106312
Chaves 2022–23 Primeira Liga 3171110—338
Career total 299462352741035055
  1. ↑ Appearance in Primeira Liga relegation play-offs

International

As of match played 22 November 2023[57]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Canada 201651
201750
201800
201941
202000
2021140
2022102
202381
Total465
Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vitória goal.
List of international goals scored by Steven Vitória
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
16 October 2016Stade de Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco Mauritania2–04–0Friendly[43]
215 November 2019Exploria Stadium, Orlando, United States United States1–31–42019–20 CONCACAF Nations League A[58]
39 June 2022BC Place, Vancouver, Canada Curaçao2–04–02022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A
417 November 2022Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Japan1–12–1Friendly
59 July 2023TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States United States1–12–2 (2–3) (p)2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Honours

Olhanense

Estoril

Benfica

Lechia Gdańsk

Canada

Individual

  • CONCACAF Nations League Finals Best XI: 2023[62]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Steven Vitória" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  2. 1 2 Chung, Matthew (29 June 2007). "Portuguese star happy to play at home". Toronto Star. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 Fernandes, Daniel (6 September 2012). "Steven Vitoria reconsiders Canada option". Sportsnet. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Canada Soccer announces squad for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022". Canadian Soccer Association. 12 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  5. ↑ "Mitchell announces U-20 squad for Porto International Tournament". Canadian Soccer Association. 5 April 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2016.
  6. ↑ "Paulo Ribeiro e Steven Vitória cedidos ao Olhanense" [Paulo Ribeiro and Steven Vitória loaned to Olhanense]. Record (in Portuguese). 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Portimonense-Olhanense, 2–3: Vitória ao cair do pano" [Portimonense-Olhanense, 2–3: Win ("Vitória" in English) in the last breath]. Record (in Portuguese). 1 November 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Boavista-Olhanense, 1–4: Goleada de olho na subida" [Boavista-Olhanense, 1–4: Rout to eye promotion]. Record (in Portuguese). 1 March 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  9. 1 2 Morais, Catarina (17 May 2009). "Honra: Olhanense vence em Gondomar e festeja subida!" [Honour: Olhanense win in Gondomar and celebrate promotion!] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  10. ↑ Malaca, Miguel (28 June 2009). "Josué e Steven por empréstimo" [Josué and Steven on loan]. Record (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  11. ↑ "Serranos aproveitam inexperiência ribatejana" [Serranos take advantage of ribatejana inexperience]. Record (in Portuguese). 2 August 2009. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Steven Vitória já rescindiu contrato" [Steven Vitória has already terminated contract]. Record (in Portuguese). 30 July 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Portuguese SuperLiga: Table". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Estoril vs. FCP. Steven Vitória, Moutinho empate" [Estoril vs. FCP. Steven Vitória, Moutinho draw]. i (in Portuguese). 31 December 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  15. ↑ "Steven Vitória em duelo de goleadores com Jackson Martínez" [Steven Vitória in scoring duel with Jackson Martínez]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 7 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Steven Vitória iguala máximo com 37 anos" [Steven Vitória equals 37-year-old milestone]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 May 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  17. ↑ "Steven Vitória assina contrato com o Benfica por quatro temporadas" [Steven Vitória signs contract with Benfica for four seasons] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  18. ↑ Fernandes, Daniel (17 June 2013). "Canadian defender Vitoria signs with Benfica". Sportsnet. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  19. ↑ "Thrilled Vitória goes to Benfica". UEFA. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  20. 1 2 Ruela, João (10 May 2014). "FC Porto bate Benfica sob avaliação de Lopetegui" [FC Porto beat Benfica as Lopetegui looks on]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  21. ↑ "Steven Vitória: "Jesus não me protegeu nem ajudou"" [Steven Vitória: "Jesus did not help me nor did he protect me"]. Record (in Portuguese). 22 September 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  22. 1 2 Atkin, John (14 May 2014). "Spot-on Sevilla leave Benfica dreams in tatters". UEFA. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  23. ↑ "Steven Vitória insatisfeito com falta de oportunidades" [Steven Vitória unhappy with lack of opportunities] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "Bétis tenta Steven Vitória" [Betis have a go at Steven Vitória] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  25. ↑ Aguado, Ángel (5 November 2014). "Steven Vitoria se vuelve a poner a tiro" [Sights set on Steven Vitoria again] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Steven Vitória é desejo de ano novo" [Steven Vitória is New Year's craving]. Record (in Portuguese). 20 December 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  27. ↑ "Philadelphia Union acquire Steven Vitoria via loan from Benfica". Philadelphia Union. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  28. ↑ "Futebol: Steven Vitória emprestado ao Philadelphia Union" [Football: Steven Vitória on loan to Philadelphia Union] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  29. ↑ "Toronto FC defeat Philadelphia to close in on playoff berth". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 October 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Philadelphia Union announce roster moves, pick up options on seven players". Major League Soccer. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  31. ↑ "Steven Vitoria nowym piłkarzem Lechii Gdańsk" [Steven Vitoria new player of Lechia Gdańsk] (in Polish). Lechia Gdańsk. 17 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  32. ↑ "Lechia poza Pucharem Polski. Gdańszczanie wyeliminowani przez Puszczę Niepołomice" [Legia get boot in Polish Cup. Team from Gdańsk ousted by Puszcza Niepołomice] (in Polish). Lechia Gdańsk. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  33. ↑ "Steven Vitória é reforço do Moreirense" [Steven Vitória is a Moreirense addition] (in Portuguese). Moreirense F.C. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  34. ↑ Matias, Jorge Miguel (11 August 2019). "Sp. Braga não é candidato ao título mas jogou como se fosse" [Sp. Braga are not title candidates but they played as if they were]. Público (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  35. ↑ "Vitória Guimarães empata em Moreira de Cónegos (vídeo)" [Vitória Guimarães draw in Moreira de Cónegos (video)]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 2 November 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  36. ↑ "Steven Vitória deixa Moreirense e reforça Desportivo de Chaves" [Steven Vitória leaves Moreirense and bolsters Desportivo de Chaves]. Observador (in Portuguese). 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  37. ↑ Galindo, Peter (30 August 2022). "Canadians Abroad Roundup: Alphonso Davies bolstering Bayern's new-look attack". Sportsnet. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
  38. ↑ Mota, Sérgio (29 May 2023). "Steven Vitória foi o melhor marcador da temporada" [Steven Vitória was the season's top scorer] (in Portuguese). G.D. Chaves. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "Sub-19: Carlos Dinis escolhe 24 jogadores" [Under-19: Carlos Dinis chooses 24 players]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 June 2006. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  40. ↑ "Gambia upsets Portugal 2–1". Toronto Star. 8 July 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  41. ↑ "Canada selects 23 players for USA friendly in February". Canadian Soccer Association. 22 January 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  42. ↑ "Canada vs USA – 2016-02-05". Canadian Soccer Association. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
  43. 1 2 Rodriguez, Alicia (6 October 2016). "Canada 4, Mauritania 0 – International friendly recap". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  44. ↑ Zeitlin, Dave (27 June 2017). "Canada names nine MLS players to 23-man CONCACAF Gold Cup roster". Major League Soccer. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  45. ↑ "Canada Soccer announces 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup roster". Canadian Soccer Association. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  46. ↑ "Canada loses heartbreaker to Mexico on late goal in tense Gold Cup semifinal". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  47. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (13 November 2022). "Canada announces 26-man squad for 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  48. ↑ R. Monteiro, Bernardo (24 November 2022). "Steven Vitória: "É difícil perder assim, merecíamos mais!"" [Steven Vitória: "It's tough to lose like this, we deserved more!"]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  49. ↑ Tierney, Mitchell (7 June 2023). "Former CPLers Loturi, Zator called up by Canada for 2023 Concacaf Nations League Finals". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  50. ↑ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (19 June 2023). "CanMNT announces final 23-man squad for Concacaf Gold Cup". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  51. ↑ Coghe, Yuri (9 July 2023). "Canada suffers heartbreak on penalties against U.S. in Gold Cup quarterfinals". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  52. ↑ "Steven Vitória e o segredo dos penáltis" [Steven Vitória and the penalties' secret]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 16 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  53. ↑ "Transfer window: Central defender Steven Vitória signs four-year deal with Benfica". The Futebol Factory. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  54. ↑ Steven Vitória at ForaDeJogo (archived)
  55. 1 2 3 Steven Vitória at Soccerway
  56. ↑ Steven Vitória at FootballDatabase.eu
  57. ↑ Steven Vitória at the Canadian Soccer Association
  58. ↑ Jacques, John (15 November 2019). "USA routs Canada 4–1 in CONCACAF Nations League bout". Northern Tribune. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  59. ↑ ""Marco Silva vai ter sucesso em Inglaterra? Sem dúvida"" ["Will Marco Silva succeed in England? No doubt about that"] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  60. ↑ "Lechia Gdansk de Flávio Paixão vence Taça da Polónia" [Flávio Paixão's Lechia Gdańsk win Polish Cup]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 2 May 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  61. ↑ Booth, Chuck (19 June 2023). "USMNT vs. Canada score: USA win their second Concacaf Nations League title, Folarin Balogun scores first goal". CBS Sports. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  62. ↑ "Turner, Reyna and David lead way in CNL Finals Best XI". CONCACAF. 19 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
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