The FC Dallas Academy squads had another unique experience this week at Pizza Hut Park.  In addition to having the chance to observe the Venezuelan Men’s National Team’s training sessions here in Frisco, the Academy teams had a mixed scrimmage Tuesday morning against the Venezuelan side before the same National Team took on the FC Dallas Reserves.

The Venezuelan squad has been training at Pizza Hut Park in preparation for this summer’s 2011 Copa America tournament, where they will open play against Brazil on July 3 in Argentina.  

PHOTOS: FC Dallas Academy vs. Venezuelan National Team

The idea for the scrimmage was suggested by Venezuelan head coach Cesar Farias.

“The benefit of an exercise like that is for both sides,” said Farias.  “That’s the best decision for them, to have opportunities to learn. They learn from each new experience.

“I am impressed with the overall level of play of the futbol here.  From the Academy up into the professional team, it is evident that there is a lot of work behind them, that this is a very intelligent organization with good structure, great coaching, and they all play the game very well. You can see it.”

Joining the FC Dallas Academy players in the scrimmage was U-18 trialist Aaron Guillen, a left-footed defender from Texas Fire, an FC Dallas Affiliate club in El Paso.

“It was a great experience,” said Guillen.  “We lost, but it was still a great learning experience. I learned a lot from the defenders on the Venezuelan team. They go in hard and they play all out. I enjoyed playing with FC Dallas. It was tough, but they are a great group of players.”

In addition to Guillen, 11 other trialists from El Paso are training with the FC Dallas Academy this week. Academy Director Oscar Pareja expects to have the rosters finalized for the 2011-12 cycle by the end of July.

“Right now, we are mainly focused on the playoffs next week, but we are definitely looking at next season,” said Pareja.  “And we enjoy having the boys from El Paso here. They are a very talented group.”