Houstonians excited for Copa America match at NRG Stadium

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It was a festive mood in downtown Houston but not long after kickoff rain forced the Copa America watch party indoors at Lucky's Pub.

Jennifer Jankowski says she's usually cheering for the Astros or Texans but Saturday afternoon she described the atmosphere as, "Very exciting, especially with the crowd around and everyone screaming and yelling, fun to watch."

All eyes are on the world's best player, waiting to see if Lionel Messi will be coming to Houston.

"I think he can do anything with the ball out there so we'll see," a Venezuelan fan said.

Argentina and Venezuelan fans knew it would be a tough match-up with unexpected kicks. Caesar Rondan said it wasn't going as he expected but right then Venezuela scored a goal and the crowd went wild.

Some fans already had tickets for the next match-up at NRG Stadium.

"Greatest player in the world. I was actually an exchange student in Argentina in 1985 so should be a fantastic game," Dynamo fan Timothy Coleman said of Messi.

Now Houston has what could be a once in a lifetime chance to see the best of the best. Professional soccer player Shawn Gafney said,

"NRG is going to be filled, filled and loud as a world cup. Argentina vs. USA it's going to be awesome," professional soccer player Shawn Gafney said.

"It's probably going to be the largest game on U.S. soil we've had in a long, long time," Lucky's Pub manager Tavis Adair added.