Schelotto oozes class for the Crew

Parity typically rules Major League Soccer -- which is pretty much what league directors like. Truly dominant clubs simply can't exist within the restrictive MLS wage structure.

Among the effects of all this institutional balance is this: One smart roster addition can achieve a major impact. Attach a true difference maker to the lineup and he can drastically alter the competitive balance of a given match.

Barry Taylor/WireImage

Argentine Pablo Ricchetti was impressive for FC Dallas.

This ability to singularly affect matters stood out prominently in Week 6.

In Columbus, the Crew's Guillermo Barros Schelotto debuted and offered an evocative glimpse of what's to come; Sigi Schmid's men added a layer of sophistication in the attack that was previously missing. The result was still a tie at home, which had to be disappointing. On the other hand, the offense and overall team demeanor looked better, and credit goes Schelotto's way for that.

Just north of there, Ronnie O'Brien made a big difference in a Toronto FC midfield that finally achieved some sorely missing balance and stability in a 3-1 victory over Chicago. BMO Field was once again rocking, particularly after witnessing a list of famous TFC firsts: first goal, first win and first expulsion (following the expansion franchise's first Mike Tyson-type mad moment). Striker Danny Dichio tried to chomp on Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez, who joined Dichio on the red-card list but did thankfully retain all his fingers.

In Kansas City, FC Dallas put a crack in the Wizards' surprising start. And the Red Stripes' 2-1 win at Arrowhead had everything to do with two command performances from a pair of 2007 debut makers. Goalkeeper Dario Sala, fresh off a six-game suspension, and fellow Argentine veteran Pablo Ricchetti both featured prominently in the victory.

(Juan Pablo Angel also debuted over the weekend, and the Red Bulls' high-profile striker did trouble Colorado occasionally in the first half of their match. But Angel was relatively quiet after the break and will certainly have more prosperous afternoons at Giants Stadium.)

Schelotto was all over the field in Columbus' 1-1 draw with Chivas USA. The longtime Boca Juniors standout was deployed nominally on the right in the Crew's 4-3-3 lineup, but was provided the freedom to move inside liberally, especially with right back Frankie Hejduk continuing to be so active along the wing.

Schelotto was in the right spot to exploit a huge mistake by an increasingly erratic Chivas USA defense. He helped convert a horrible giveaway in the back into the early equalizer.

The Crew still recorded their fourth draw in six matches, but there were signs of something better ahead, particularly if another newcomer to the club, Houston Dynamo acquisition Alejandro Moreno, can be productive near goal.

The Crew's combination play in the attack seemed especially to benefit from Schelotto's wile and Moreno's ability to hold the ball until others could join the moment. Previously, players such as Eddie Gaven, Joseph Ngwenya and Ricardo Virtuoso had their moments, but it was generally off the dribble. The combination play between attackers can help pry open defenses in a wider variety of ways.

Constantly directing traffic and looking immediately like a leader, Schelotto seems to be the kind of influence who can squeeze the best from the young talent around him. Gaven, the in-form Ned Grabavoy and holding midfielder Danny O'Rourke seem likely to benefit the most.

Finally, Schelotto also immediately established himself as the club's dead ball expert. His free kicks are so effective that teams are likely to become increasingly wary of committing fouls in the Crew's attacking third. That stands to open up just a little more space for the Columbus offense.

O'Brien doesn't have Schelotto's international pedigree, but his first (belated) appearance for struggling Toronto was just as important. The big knee brace didn't seem to slow TFC's right-sided attacker.

O'Brien provided a reliable channel between the back line and the strikers, something desperately needed in a franchise launch that has been unsettled by abundant personnel shuffling. The Canadians still are missing links to their strikers, but O'Brien was able to add some critical width to the attack. He began supplying balls that asked questions of the Chicago Fire defense.

As O'Brien gets more familiar with Marvell Wynne, the TFC right side will increasingly worry opponents. Wynne continues to struggle with technical aspects of his game, but his pace alone can be bothersome, particularly if the veteran O'Brien can provide some direction on the field.

TFC striker Dichio, playing just his second MLS contest, made history with TFC's first goal -- and the fans quickly made a big, happy mess, showering the field with giveaway seat cushions.

FC Dallas' Ricchetti was particularly effective in adding a smart, defensive presence in the midfield. He was active all afternoon in identifying the passing channels and stepping into them at precisely the right moments.

That limited Kansas City's attack in the first half. Curt Onalfo's team adjusted somewhat in the second half, but couldn't produce on the scoreboard before an injury-time strike cut the lead in half.

Sala was imposing in keeping the clean sheet until that late strike. Shaka Hislop had filled in during Sala's six-match suspension to open the season, and hadn't done anything awful during his half-dozen contests. On the other hand, Sala's evening of nine saves included a couple of game changers -- just the sort of big moments that were missing from Hislop's arsenal. Plus, Sala staked a command of his penalty area that Hislop, at age 38, simply can no longer muster.

Steve Davis is a Dallas-based freelance writer who covers MLS for ESPNsoccernet. He can be reached at BigTexSoccer@yahoo.com.