Carlos Rivas battles Union players for the ball in the U.S. Open Cup. (Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports)

Carlos Rivas’ time with the Red Bulls has been short and sweet.

The Red Bulls Monday loaned out the 24-year-old forward to Atletico Nacional in his native Colombia for the rest of the Major League Soccer season.

Obtained in the traded that sent Sacha Kljestan to Orlando City SC and brought defender Tommy Redding to the Red Bulls in January, Rivas scored twice over 264 minutes, three starts and five matches this season. Both of his goals were scoring in the waning minutes of the 4-0 home-opening win over the Portland Timbers March 10.

“We believe sending Carlos out on loan is the best option for the player and the club,” Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett said. “The most important thing for Carlos and his continued development is to play consistently and we are glad to have found a good situation for him and his family.”

When he joined the Red Bulls, there were big expectations for Rivas.

“Carlos is an exciting young player that can be a threat on the wing or as a forward,” Hamlett said at the time. “We think he is a natural fit for our team and immediately improves our attacking options.”

Things did not pan out for Rivas, especially with the emergence of Homegrown Players in attacking roles.

Rivas also appeared in CONCACAF Champions League matches. He started and played 90 minutes in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 loss against the Philadelphia Union, a 2-1 defeat in Chester, Pa. June 16.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.