The Red Bulls trimmed their roster by four players today, waiving keeper Danny Cepero and defenders Carlos Johnson and Walter Garcia, while not picking up the option on midfielder Matthew Mbuta.

I’m mildly surprised by them cutting ties with Johnson, who joined the team from Norway’s Bryne FK before last season. Yes, he was a red-card machine in his 13 games, but played better after returning from injury; now they’re somewhat thin at right back, unless they play second-year man Jeremy Hall there or this is a precursor to another move. Could this be a sign that newly-acquired Chris Albright is making steps in his recovery, or that Frederic Jonson impressed in Spain?

Cepero was with the club for three seasons after being drafted in the fourth round in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. The University of Pennsylvania product made 13 starts last year and had a 1.74 goals against average and a 2-8-3 record, but had lost the job to Senegalese National Team member Bouna Coundoul. The Red Bulls have had multiple goalie trialists in camp, with Canadian Greg Sutton and CONCACAF Champions League hero Bill Gaudette both more than viable options in goal.

Garcia signed with New York last August from Argentina’s Quilmes Atletico Club. Last year was supposed to be an extended trial, but he showed up woefully out of shape and appeared in just one game, an injury replacement for Mike Petke in the finale.

Mbuta completed his first full season with New York after signing on Sept. 15,2008. The former Crystal Palace Baltimore player tallied two goals in 12 appearances as a Red Bull.