In light of poor results at this year's U-17 World Cup, the launch of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and MLS's move into the youth arena, it's time to reassess U.S. Soccer's 9-year-old Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla.

By Mike Woitalla (Soccer America Magazine)

Barcelona can buy any player it wants, but maintains an ambitious and successful youth program.

By Mike Woitalla (Soccer America Magazine)

There's a large crowd of people in the plaza area surrounding Barcelona's Camp Nou Stadium, many of them are wearing jerseys with Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o on the back. But there's no game today.

It's a Thursday afternoon, the team is in Scotland for a preseason friendly, but that doesn't stop the crowds, who eat Spanish omelette sandwiches in between stadium tours and visiting the FC Barcelona Museum, which draws 1.2 million visitors a year, more than any other Barcelona museum.

Inside the league offices, behind the club store, sits Jose Ramon Alexanco, the director of Barcelona's youth program.

Alexanco's department has an annual budget of $10 million. But why does a club, which can buy pretty much any player it wants, try to develop its own players?