SAN JOSE — The 49ers and Earthquakes are trying to attract the 2016 South American soccer championships to Levi’s Stadium, San Jose president Dave Kaval said Friday.

San Jose is one of 14 U.S. cities interested in playing host to the biggest soccer tournament in the Americas outside of the World Cup. The centennial edition of the South American championships, known as Copa America Centenario, is scheduled for June 2016 and will include the United States and Mexico.

Organizers expect to use between eight and 13 stadiums with a minimum seating capacity of 50,000. The winning cities are scheduled to be announced in May.

“It’s like World Cup light — and it could be right here in our backyard,” Kaval said.

All 10 South American teams are scheduled to participate: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. CONCACAF has four entries beyond the United States and Mexico. So far, Costa Rica and Jamaica also have qualified.

Levi’s Stadium made its debut in August with the Earthquakes playing host to the Seattle Sounders FC. The 68,000-seat facility also held a sold-out game featuring Chile and Mexico in September.

“We think these types of events create a lasting legacy for soccer in this region,” Kaval said.

Other interested cities include Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, New York, Seattle and Washington D.C.

Kaval said the team is working to acquire a third designated player who could greatly improve the roster for what is expected to spirited competition for the 2015 season. The already-tough Western Conference dramatically improved with the addition of Houston and Sporting Kansas City, who switched divisions to make room for two expansion teams in the East. “We want to get the right player,” Kaval said. “We’re making sure we don’t make a rash decision.” Some of the players the team has contacted are available now while others would not arrive until the summer transfer window. Kaval also said the team continues to work toward signing Leandro Barrera, a midfielder the Quakes picked last month in the Major League Soccer waiver draft. Barrera, 23, is owned by Argentino Juniors of the Argentine first division. Also, the Quakes have not given up in possibly bringing Portugal’s Yannick Djalo back from S.L. Benfica, Kaval added.