(Times staff/JULIA WILKINSON)

In preparation for Monday's MLS Waiver Draft, the Union emitted a subtle, "My bad," when they cut ties with three players.

On their way out the door are D Porfirio Lopez, MF Gabriel Gomez and FW Krystian Witkowski.

Lopez, a 27-year-old Costa Rican, was brought in by ex-Union boss Peter Nowak as a sure-fire back with as good a left foot as any. It turned out his left foot was non-existent. He started the first four matches of the season, subbed on for 12 minutes May 19 and never saw the pitch again.

Gomez, a 28-year-old Panamanian, did his part with six goals in 24 matches, including 18 starts. But the Union routinely played him out of his natural position. He was brought on board to be an attacking midfielder who, instead, found himself in the central midfield more often than not. Sure, he had a heck of a free-kick delivery from inside 25 yards, but he was otherwise a bust.

Witkowski, a 22-year-old rookie out of Marist, never really got his shot. He picked up a concussion in reserve-league duty and the 26th pick in the supplemental draft never saw action with the first team.

In terms of a re-do, the Union are looking toward 2013. These three releases are the first in a series of what should be a roster roller coaster this offseason.

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In other news, the Union added three names to their traveling cavalcade this offseason.

FW Freddy Adu left Monday for a two-week training stint with Galatasaray, a club in Turkey's Premier League. MF Michael Farfan and D/MF Amobi Okugo will train for an undisclosed stretch with SC Freiberg, of Germany's Bundesliga.

Also on the road this offseason are:

• GK Zac MacMath, who spent time with English Premier League side Everton
• FW Cristhian Hernandez, who was with Real Sociedad, of Spain's La Liga
• MF Jimmy McLaughlin, who is currently training with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, of Bundesliga

(Times staff / JULIA WILKINSON)

If today is anything like the few days that preceded it, Zac MacMath will wear his helmet while manning the space between the pipes.

But that's only because MacMath, the Union’s starting goalkeeper, said wearing the protective headgear following a concussion — and its subsequent recurring symptoms — has become almost essential, whether or not he likes it.

MacMath and the Union host Sporting Kansas City tonight. (For a preview on the game, on Union interim manager John Hackworth's bid to keep things consistent, click here.)

“That’s my personal decision,” MacMath said of wearing the helmet last weekend against D.C. United. “I’ve had people recommend it to me, but it’s definitely my choice. Don’t know how much longer I’ll wear it, or if I’ll wear it this weekend or not. Probably depends on how hot it is.”

MacMath sustained a concussion May 5 in a loss at Seattle. He played the next match, against visiting New York May 13, before sitting out a pair of road matches — May 19 at FC Dallas and May 26 at Toronto FC. He finally returned to the pitch, in league play at least, for last weekend’s match with D.C.

He said the helmet hasn’t disrupted his play, which has produced a 2-7-1 record with a 1.30 goals-against average.

“I don’t think it affects me and the way I play,” MacMath said. “I think it’s a little uncomfortable, but that’s it. I’ve never worn one before. It takes time. I don’t think I’m going to be used to it any time soon. It’s about not thinking about the helmet and just thinking about the play.”

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The Union will be without starters Sheanon Williams (right big toe avulsion fracture) and Gabriel Gomez (left knee contusion, patellar tendonitis), who were among the four players listed as 'OUT' in the MLS injury report, which was published late Friday. 

The others are: Krystian Witkowski (concussion symptoms), and Chandler Hoffman (left big toe fracture), whose injury was initially reported here.

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Be sure to check back to the blog tonight, for the Union's starting lineup and analysis of it, around 6 p.m. There'll also be some postgame stuff up here around 11 p.m., so stay tuned for that, too.

By the time the Union next play, they might be their healthiest all season.

According to Union boss Peter Nowak, the club is using its bye week to its fullest potential. Only rookie Krystian Witkowski, who suffered a concussion two weeks back, is sidelined as a non-participant in training.

Nowak said centerback Carlos Valdes, who has taken hits to his head in three of four matches this season, "is OK" and his fitness shouldn't be questioned for the Union's April 14 match vs. visiting Columbus. Valdes, who wore a padded helmet March 31 against Vancouver, absorbed an elbow to the head from the Whitecaps' Atiba Harris.

Also, Freddy Adu, who was granted “a couple days off” by Nowak, should be fresh when Columbus comes to town. Adu was at PPL Park for the scoreless draw against Vancouver, but didn't make the 18-man gameday roster. He was coming off a stretch during which he played three matches in five days with the U.S. U-23s, who were attempting to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.