Career
He is known for his heading, marking and scoring abilities, especially on penalty kicks and free kicks. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Portuguese immigrants from the Azores, Vitória played youth football with the Woodbridge Strikers, mainly as a striker. He was approached to appear for Canada"s youth national teams on multiple occasions after leaving the country, but declined each time.
Porto Vitória was signed by Football Club 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 South Carolina (U.S.) for two years, and helping the Algarve side promote to the Primeira Liga in his second season by appearing in 18 games, 15 as a starter. In the 2009-2010 campaign Vitória continued on loan, this time with South Carolina (U.S.) Covilhã in the Segunda Liga.
Estoril Vitória cut all ties with Porto in July 2010, signing with G.D. Estoril Praia in the second division. In his debut season in the top flight, 2012-2013, he played 27 games and scored 11 goals to finish ninth among the league"s top goalscorers– eight of them from penalties – to help his team finish fifth and qualify for the Union of European Football Associations Europa League.
Benfica Free agent Vitória joined South.L. Benfica on 16 June 2013, signing a four-year contract.
He called the day of his signing "the most important and happiest day of my life". 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 1–2 loss at former side Porto. Vitória was an unused substitute in the Eagles" loss in the Europa League final loss to Sevilla Football Club. After becoming unsatisfied with his status, he was targeted by Real Betis and Christian Science Marítimo.
On 9 February 2015, Vitória was loaned to Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union for one season.
He scored his first goal for the team in his hometown of Toronto, in a 1–3 Major League Soccer away defeat to Toronto Football Club, being released in December after the club declined against exercising its contract option on the player. Vitória represented Portugal at the 2006 Lusophony Games in Macau, the 2006 Union of European Football Associations European Under-19 Championship in Poland and the 2007 Fédération internationale de football association U-20 World Cup in his birth nation.
In the latter tournament, he featured in the 1–2 group stage loss to Gambia. In September 2012, without having been capped at senior level, 28-year-old Vitória considered switching allegiance to Canada.
In January 2016, he accepted a call-up by the country for a friendly against the United States on 5 February, and played the full 90 minutes in the 0–1 defeat in Carson, California.
Estoril Segunda Liga: 2011-2012 Benfica Primeira Liga: 2013-2014 Taça de Portugal: 2013-2014 Taça da Liga: 2013-2014 Union of European Football Associations Europa League: Runner-up 2013-2014.