MIAMI (USA) - The FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2021 has some returning favorites, new faces, veteran all-stars and young talents all coming together in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with hopes of going to the 2022 Women's World Cup qualifiers with a top four finish. Here are six games to watch out for during a tournament that features revenge, rivalry, underdogs and reigning champions.

Dominican Republic vs Argentina – Friday, June 11

The 9th ranked Dominican Republic takes on 5th ranked Argentina on the first day of AmeriCup action in San Juan, a thrilling replay between the teams who met in the seventh-place game in 2019. Dominican Republic won by a single basket in the 67-65 decision, with Yohanna Morton scoring 18 points in the win. Dominican Republic also had a strong showing during the 2021 Centrobasket tournament, finishing with the bronze medal and qualifying for the AmeriCup with their win. Argentina has not played since the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2019 but are ranked in the top 30 of the world currently. Both teams will be looking to finish in the top three of the tournament and will have to go through each other in order to qualify for the semi-final rounds.

Colombia vs Virgin Islands – Friday, June 11

A rematch from the 2017 AmeriCup, just 7 points came between the teams as Colombia took the game 70-63, but Virgin Islands had the last laugh as they finished the tournament in 5th while Colombia finished 7th. Colombia improved to a 5th place finish in 2019, while Virgin Islands did not compete. Now, with both teams back in the competition, they will be looking to try and get a top spot in a tough Group A. The group includes both Canada and Brazil and fighting for third place means less of a chance of having to play a team like USA in the Semi-Finals.

Brazil vs Canada – Sunday, June 13

A rematch of one of the 2019 AmeriCup Semi-Finals, Canada edged Brazil by just 8 points to make it to the gold medal match. Brazil dominated in the bronze medal game and will be looking to get revenge on Canada. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, Aaliyah Edwards and All-Star 5 award winner Kayla Alexander will all be returning for Canada during the tournament. While Brazil will be without star player Damiris Dantas as she currently competes for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA. Dantas averaged a whopping 17.3 points per game during the 2019 AmeriCup and helped lead Brazil to bronze with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists in the game. Both teams will be top contenders in the group and want to ensure they secure a top four finish to reach the 2022 Women's World Cup qualifiers.

USA vs Puerto Rico – Sunday, June 13

Puerto Rico, ranked fourth in the Americas and 23rd in the world, takes on the top ranked USA team, who is first not only in the Americas, but in the world. Puerto Rico is coming off the momentum of their 2021 Centrobasket gold medal, led by tournament MVP Pamela Rosado. Reigning champion USA will aim to defend their title under head coach Dawn Staley, who was the coach for the team’s 6-0 performance two years ago. But Puerto Rico’s veteran squad has the opportunity to upset a relatively young USA squad when they meet on the third day of AmeriCup action. Many of the USA team, including tournament MVP Sylvia Fowles and All-Star 5 members Jordin Canada and Diamond DeShields, will not be in attendance.

Venezuela vs. Argentina – Sunday, June 13

Venezuela returns to the AmeriCup for the first time since 2017, and will look to avenge a 20-point loss to Argentina. Argentina was the host nation for the 2017 games and will lose their home court advantage in their rematch with Venezuela. Argentina finished in 2017 with Silver, while Venezuela went 0-4, but Argentina fell to 1-4 in the 2019 tournament and finished 8th after their loss to Dominican Republic. Both teams have improved their skills since they met four years ago, but Venezuela will be looking to prove why they deserve a top 10 spot in the Americas on top of their revenge against Argentina.

El Salvador vs Virgin Islands – Tuesday, June 15

Last time they met in Centrobasket, Virgin Islands took home the silver medal and an AmeriCup qualification with their 12-point win over El Salvador. El Salvador took fourth place, the final qualifying spot for the AmeriCup, but found weaknesses in Virgin Islands’ game in the loss. Virgin Islands’ Imani Tate and Anisha George were both named to Centrobasket’s All-Star 5, as the two led the tournament in scoring and rebounds per game, but El Salvador’s Kimberly Villalobos, who is just 19 years old, finished right behind the dynamic duo on the boards and averaged a double-double in the tournament to help her team snag the last spot for the AmeriCup. The chemistry and progress El Salvador made will help them prepare for their meeting with Virgin Islands on the final day of group play during the tournament to avenge their Centrobasket loss.

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