A four-time winner of the Copa Libertadores, Estudiantes de la Plata bring a rich history to the 2017 Florida Cup, and have had a successful season so far in Argentina’s Primera Division. Argentine forward Lucas Viatri has six goals in the club’s 14 games so far this season, while Chilean Jeisson Vargas has notched four assists to put the side solidly in contention for a title and a return to the Copa Libertadores, but the big story ahead of the Florida Cup is the return of legendary midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron to the club’s midfield at the age of 41 while also serving as its chairman.

NEED TO KNOW

Head Coach: Nelson Vivas
League: Primera Division
Schedule: Jan.  8 – vs. Bayer Leverkusen, Al Lang Field, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jan. 15 – vs. Esporte Clube Bahia, Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

CLUB HISTORY

Formed in 1905, Estudiantes built a rich history that saw the club become one of the best-regarded in Argentinian soccer in the 1930s when the Los Profesores squad led by Alberto Máximo Zozaya – who notched the club’s record of 33 goals in a season in 1931 – saw the side to a stylish, attacking style of play. On the field, the side broke the hold of the major five clubs in Argentina in 1967 when Estudiantes took the Primera Division championship, and that heralded an unprecedented run of continental success that saw the side win the Copa Libertadores in three successive seasons.

In its modern history, the club was led to the Primera Division in 2006 by current Atletico Madrid Manager Diego Simeone. The club won the Apertura again in 2010, and currently sits fourth in the Primera Division this season, four points behind Boca Juniors.