CHICAGO – With select games of COPA America 2016 being held along the lakefront at Soldier Field, UIC had the privilege of hosting the competing national teams at Flames Field, home of the men's and women's soccer teams. Among those training at the Flames' facility were USA, Argentina, Chile and Columbia, who all reached the Semifinals of the tournament.

"What an experience to host some of the best teams and players in the world this summer," said head men's soccer coach Sean Phillips. "Hosting all four semifinalists – Argentina, Chile, Columbia and the United States – on Flames Field was truly special."

"All four teams went out of their way to compliment UIC on their experience and the quality of the field, which further illustrates UIC's commitment to continue to have one of the best natural playing surfaces in the country."

Chicago was the site for three matches in the opening Group Stage. Group C's Venezuela defeated Jamaica, 1-0, on June 5, Group A's USA followed with a 4-0 shutout over Costa Rica on June 7, and Group D's Argentina rounded out the field with a 5-0 win against Panama on June 10.

In a round-robin type format, the four teams in the four groups (A-D) played each other once. The top two teams of each group moved on to the Quarterfinals.

On June 22, Chile and Columbia qualified for the remaining Semifinals matchup at Soldier Field. Chile defeated Columbia, 2-0, and advanced to the Final to face Argentina on June 26 in New Jersey, where the Chileans came out on top in the shootout (4-2) following a 0-0 tie to take the title.

Thursday morning (June 23), Chile returned to the pitch at Flames Field for a scrimmage against the Chicago Fire PDL team, which features current Flames players Joel Leon, Gonzalo Romo and Oscar Gonzalez.

This is not the first time professionals in the national circuit have headed to the natural-grass pitch at Flames Field, as UIC has hosted several teams over the past decade. Last summer in 2015, teams out of Mexico, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago hit the field in preparation for their matches in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Additional pro teams in Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire and LA Galaxy, the MLS All-Stars, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Swansea City AFC have spent time at the facility.