In news that is sure to send the more cold-hearted Red Bull fans dancing on the ceiling, not only is midfielder Albert Celades cleared to play (after getting his P-1 visa approved and MLs receiving his International Transfer Certificate), but injury-riddled forward Oscar Echeverry has been waived.

Neither is much of a surprise. I’d said for quite some time that when the Colombian striker was fit, he wouldn’t be long for the team. Juan Carlos Osorio brought him in for his pace and ability to hold up the ball, both of which, to be fair, he showed in small doses. But it’s just a shame the doses were far too small and far too infrequent.

The 32-year-old Echeverry was signed last March 26 from Atletico Nacional and managed just nine regular-season appearances _ seven starts _ before having season-ending knee surgery in August. He worked hard to try and come back from it, but a year later his knee was still hindering him. Too bad Metro fans never really got to see the player Osorio had in Colombia.

As far as Celades, the 33-year-old hasn’t played since last summer for Real Zaragoza, so he has to pass a fitness test before he plays. But when he does, whether that’s Sunday in Chicago or next week in Houston, Osorio loves the idea of using he and Jorge Rojas as twin attacking midfielders in a 4-3-3 with either Luke Sassano or Seth Stammler as a lone destroyer behind them.

My first thought was that formation worked very well in Argentina. No, actually my first thought was it was noteworthy that he didn’t see Argentine Juan Pietravallo fitting at all into that formation. Telling….

What do you guys think? Glad to see they’ve finally moved on from the failed Echeverry experiment? Tough break for the Colombian? Worried about a pair of 30-somethings in central midfield on Giants Stadium turf in the hot summer months? Holla at us…