Gifs to go: Argentina is practicing in our backyard
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Argentina, the defending World Cup champion, let press from around the globe inside its KC training camp for the first time yesterday.
The big picture: The three-time champions picked the $75 million Sporting KC Training Centre in Kansas City, Kansas, as their tournament home base, winning out over other host cities for the team and the attention that trails it.
Zoom in: The team practices, lifts and runs its operations out of the facility, while players stay downtown at the Origin Hotel, where fans have continued to gather, hoping to spot the sport's biggest star, Lionel Messi.
What they're saying: Sporting KC CEO Jake Reid cast the moment as KC's audition. "It's now time to show the world what we can do," he said.
What's next: Argentina opens its title defense against Algeria on June 16, and fans are organizing a banderazo, a flag-waving send-off rally, at 6pm June 15 at Mill Creek Park.