CHICAGO -- Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aranguiz had a few words of condolence for his club teammate Javier Hernandez after Chile thrashed Mexico 7-0 in the Copa America Centenario quarterfinal round on Saturday.
"[I spoke to him] a little, I said be strong," was Aranguiz's message to Hernandez after the match, related the Chilean in Monday's news conference. "When we had scored five, you could see the sadness on the Mexico players' faces. It was humiliating. [Chicharito] is a great friend, I know him well from Germany and I send him the strength to carry on."
Aranguiz and the rest of Chile's squad traveled to Chicago from San Jose on Sunday evening and trained on Monday ahead of Wednesday's semifinal against Colombia at Soldier Field, although key figures Marcelo Diaz and Alexis Sanchez didn't take part in the full session along with their teammates due to knocks.
Chile striker Eduardo Vargas, however, played down the extent of the injuries.
"I think Diaz and Alexis have some discomfort, but everything is normal," said a laughing Vargas during Monday's news conference.
One Chilean player that will definitely miss out is Arturo Vidal, who is suspended for the clash against Los Cafeteros after receiving a yellow card in the quarterfinal against Mexico.
Bayern Munich's Vidal has been a key figure in the growth of the Chilean national team over recent years and drove La Roja to victory against Mexico in what he described afterwards as a "perfect" game from his point of view.
"[Vidal] is a great player and he is very important for the team, but there are teammates that are on the outside that are ready," said Aranguiz.
Vargas -- who leads Copa America with six goals, two ahead of Lionel Messi -- said he doesn't see reigning Copa America champion Chile as favorite against a Colombia team that needed penalties to overcome Peru in the quarterfinals. He also stressed all four teams, including the Untied States, have a decent chance at winning the tournament.
"Argentina is very strong on the world stage. Colombia is too and is doing well in qualification," said the Hoffenheim striker. "I've not seen many United States games but they are a very strong team and are playing at home."