Algarve Cup 2013: Top Players to Watch out for in Prestigious Tournament

The 2013 Algarve Cup is set to kick off on March 6, 2013 and run until the end of the week—one of the premier tournaments in women's world football.

Twelve teams from around the world will travel to Portugal (specifically the region of Algarve) for the tournament to compete for Cup, which is now in it's 20th year of succession. And as with everything, is growing in reputation and status with every passing year.

Who are the teams and players to be watching out for in the Algarve Cup this year? Read on and find out.

Alex Morgan, United States

Named the 2012 United States soccer Female Athlete of the Year, it's hard to go past striker Alex Morgan as being a real danger in this tournament.

Morgan will have a very strong midfield behind her in the USWNT and will no doubt thrive in the Algarve Cup, as she showed in her last international tournament—the 2012 London Olympics. The 23-year-old netted the game-winning goal against Canada in the final of that tournament, and will be looking for similar success this time around.

As only one of two US women to record 20 goals and 20 assists in the same calendar year, expect Morgan to be a real threat here for the USWNT.

Fatmire Bajramaj, Germany

The 24-year-old Fatmire Bajramaj will line up in the midfield for Germany in the Algarve Cup with a great chance to show the world just what she can do once more.

Voted as the third-best women's soccer player in the world in 2010, Bajramaj is a brilliant dribbler with the ball that can either play in her teammates or finish herself with brilliance. She has great vision and ability, and will no doubt prove that again here with the German national team.

And having won the FIFA World Cup and the European Championships in her short career already, she is no doubt more than ready for the international stage.

Aya Miyama, Japan

A part of the 2011 FIFA World Cup winning Japanese team, Aya Miyama will certainly be a player to watch again here for Japan as she looks to rule roost in midfield once more.

Miyama netted a fantastic free goal in the final of that tournament to win the gold medal and will be looking to do the same here. She is a speedy dribbler of the ball who has great skills in beating opponents—plus she has a dynamic finishing ability to match with her passing skills.

Having been named the AFC Player of the Year for the past two years in a row, Miyama is definitely an in-form player to watch who can have a real impact on the competition. Especially if she finds herself with space in the middle of the field.

A real danger player to watch.

Which players are you keeping an eye on at the 2013 Algarve Cup?

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