Three 'gift' games for Union

CALL IT A gift from the Major League Soccer gods.

"It" would be the upcoming string of matches for the Union against clubs that wallow at the bottom of their respective conferences. With victories over all, it's likely the Union can put some distance between itself and a pesky Red Bull New York side that resembles a cold you can't shake.

* This weekend brings a visit to expansion Vancouver (tomorrow, 10 p.m., Comcast Network), last place in the West but revived via its new coach, former D.C. boss Tom Soehn, and brash forward Eric Hassli. Hassli, who looks to be out to set the league record for most ejections in a season (three), also has some of the best goals from the run of play in MLS this season, including last week's ridiculous volley against rival Seattle. But this Vancouver team, at 1-6-8 for 11 points, is inconsistent, especially on the attack. According to defender Wes Knight, Vancouver's game plan is to press hard on the counterattack, take advantage of the Union's propensity to spread the pitch and attack with its outside fullbacks.

Prediction: Union forwards continue to find their rhythm and take shots from distance; the defense remains imposing, and all players (collectively) catch the flight back on Sunday afternoon celebrating three points.

* Next up, a Wednesday showdown at PPL Park against Sporting Kansas City (7:30 p.m., Comcast Network), dead last in the East at 2-6-4 with 10 points. Despite standout forwards Teal Bunbury and Kei Kamara, as a whole, SKC doesn't really impress. Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen is doing his best Chris Seitz circa 2010 impression to statistically hold the dishonor as the worst keeper in MLS. Over a nine-game span, Nielsen has a 1.72 goals-against average and has yet to post a shutout. Kansas City takes on San Jose today, coming off a 4-1 rout of FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park last weekend.

Prediction: The Union remains undefeated at home and Faryd Mondragon (0.85 GAA) collects another shutout.

* On little regeneration and virtually no rest, the Union stays in Chester to host Chivas USA (June 25, 8 p.m., 6ABC). Chivas (4-5-5, 17 points) hasn't had as rough a go as the previous two teams and has held its own in a tough Western Division. Chivas' arrival will bring a return of exiled forward Alejandro Moreno, released following a lackluster inaugural campaign with the Union.