June 2, 2016
For three weeks through June 19, San Jose State University serves as a practice venue for one of the world's great sports events -- the Copa America Centenario 2016 men's soccer tournament.
Sixteen teams from South, Central and North America including the host country United States are playing for the prestigious championship typically held every four years. For the 100th anniversary of the Copa America tournament, the United States becomes the first country outside of South America to be a host.
With four games scheduled at nearby Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., San Jose State was selected as a practice site for the Argentina and Jamaican teams during round robin pool play. Argentina, arguably, boasts the world's best player, forward Lionel Messi.
"This is a huge coup for San Jose State University and Spartan soccer. It is an unbelievable experience to watch the best players in the world on our campus," says San Jose State men's soccer coach Simon Tobin, who is serving as a Copa America venue steward. "It is a great honor for our university to be chosen as a training site for the world's number one team."
Argentina is scheduled to practice at San Jose State for its June 6 match vs. Chile. Jamaica heads to San Jose State for its training sessions prior to its June 13 match vs. Uruguay. San Jose State also will be a practice site for one of the eight quarterfinal teams in the tournament's knockout stage.