Friday is a big night for soccer in Cincinnati, and even some furry faces at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are getting into the game-day spirit.
Nia, the cheetah, was out playing with a soccer ball gifted to her by the U.S. men's national soccer team.
The zoo shared a video to their Instagram showing the cheetah chasing and pouncing on the ball with words of encouragement for the U.S. men's team ahead of Friday night's match.
The U.S. men's national soccer team and the Mexico national football team will faceoff at TQL Stadium in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Cincinnati Zoo said when the U.S. men's team came to the zoo to have their team dinner on Tuesday, they brought a soccer ball to give to Nia because she likes to play with them.
Playing with the ball is healthy for Nia because it encourages physical activity and mental stimulation, the zoo said.
The kickoff for the sold-out game is 9:10 p.m., and for those not attending in-person, it will be on ESPN2.
