SheBelieves Preview: Argentina is ready to show they're no fluke

While everyone is undoubtedly looking forward to watching USA, Canada and Brazil battle for the first time since the pandemic hit, another team should garner the most attention: Argentina.

La Albiceleste have come quite a ways since their triumphant return to the Women's World Cup in 2019. Although they exited the tournament early in the group stage, it was to a standing ovation from a world that had all but forgotten about them and to a renewed passion in their country. Sadly this team would see any development put on ice by this pernicious pandemic, resorting to league play to keep the players in any sort of fitness. While the players don't have an Olympic debut to train for, they DO have a chance at getting back in the spotlight, playing in the SheBelieves Cup.

Sadly, Argentina will be without their star midfielder, Estefanía Banini, former of the Washington Spirit, but never fear! Like all great Argentinean midfielders, the player to watch this tournament will be #16, Lorena Benitez. She currently plays for Boca Juniors in Argentina's women's professional league and is ready to lead her team for the first time since 2019. Mariana Larroquette will also be in the midfield and fans can look forward to seeing her play for Kansas City this upcoming NWSL season. Argentina will also be without it's regular keeper, Vanina Correa, due to her testing positive for COVID-19, so Yanina Sosa will probably start.

Starting XI prediction: I'm not totally familiar with their preferred style, but with a midfield like this, you can't go wrong with a nice 4-2-3-1 Yanina Sosa; Adriana Sachs, Agustina Barroso, Aldana Cometti, Eliana Stabile; Daiana Falfan, Miriam Mayorga; Mariana Larroquette, Lorena Benitez, Milagros Menéndez; Sole Jaimes