Algarve Cup 2013: USWNT, Germany and Other Top Teams to Watch in Women's Tourney

The 2013 Algarve Cup will kick off on March 6 and run until March 13, with arguably the most prestigious tournaments in women's football set to provide plenty of spectacular viewing.

The United States will enter the competition as favorites, but they are certainly not the only team to be watching out for.

Read on to see which other top teams have a real chance at the title in 2013.

Germany

As last year's champions, Germany will carry a large weight of expectation and anticipation as to what they can do in the 2013 competition. Yet, with a strong side packed with youth and skill, expect Germany to once again deliver on their solid form with a great showing here.

They are currently ranked just behind the United States in terms of being the best teams in the world, and with   Dzsenifer Marozsan and Celia Okoyino da Mbabi lining up in attack, Germany will no doubt be a serious challenger this time around as well.

United States

Given the sheer star-power that exists within the United States Women's National Team and the plethora of brilliant players on hand, it's hard not to consider them one of the favorites in 2013.

Having finished third last year in the Algarve Cup and first in the 2012 London Olympics, the USWNT will expect to challenge here—and rightly so. 

Between Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, there's more than enough talent existent to be a real force in the Cup, and they appear very hard to beat here. Their attack is simply too strong and powerful for any defense to truly shut down.

Sweden

Currently ranked as the sixth-best women's team in international football, Sweden come to the Algarve Cup as a genuine contender to watch this time around.

They were beaten by the United States in the third-place playoff last year, so they know what it takes to succeed at the tournament, and with a strong squad and potential game-changers stacked in their team, must come into consideration for the championship.

Lotta Schelin is an experienced veteran for the national team and will no doubt be a huge goal-scoring threat to watch. As long as she's in existence for Sweden, they're definitely a team worth keeping an eye out for in this one.

Japan

Last year's champions are perhaps the biggest danger to the USWNT for the title here, having dominated the tournament last time around.

Currently ranked the highest they've ever been in the world—third best behind the United States and Germany—Japan will most likely be an even tougher team than in 2012, with star Yuki Ogimi again looking like the player to watch for the Asian powerhouse.

Expect them to be a real threat here for all involved, but especially the USWNT as they seek to rectify their semifinal defeat last year in the tournament.

Denmark

Perhaps an outside team to watch here is Denmark, who despite being drawn into a hard group alongside Germany, Norway and Japan are a real danger team to watch in Portugal.

Pernille Harder is a star attacker for the Danes who can certainly challenge the best in the world here if afforded the opportunities to shoot well.

Denmark are currently ranked 13th in the world for women's football, and must be respected as one of the top teams here at the 2013 Algarve Cup.

Who do you think are the top teams to watch at the 2013 Algarve Cup?

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