J.J. Watt met with the United States men's national soccer team as they prepared for the Copa América Semifinal match against the world's top-ranked Argentina. Watt showed up to the team's meal room on Saturday, bearing signed No. 99 jerseys for all the players, and offered some words of encouragement.
"He said, 'I wish I could do that in my sport to represent the whole nation if they are in front of the TV or they are at the stadium,'" head coach Jürgen Klinsmann said. "I think the message was so cool from J.J. and the players were thrilled. It brought another layer of energy to our group."
The U.S. team hopes to keep its impressive streak alive, after three consecutive wins in the 100th Copa América tournament. The winners of each of the Semifinal matches will advance to the Finals of the Copa América Centenario that will take place Sunday, June 26 at MetLife Stadium.
"It means the world to all of us because he's an outstanding athlete," Klinsmann said. "He's a spokesperson for the sport and he's so humble, he's so down-to-earth and I think he gave the players, really the feeling, 'hey guys, you made it so far now but now even add something more, you know, just go for something more."
The Semifinal match between USA and Argentina is set for Tuesday at 8 p.m. CT from NRG Stadium. It will mark the 11th meeting between the teams with two encounters in the Copa América tournaments of 1995 and 2007.
J.J. Watt stopped by to meet the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team. (Photos courtesy of US Men's Soccer)
