Saturday was a dreadful day for Red Bull New York, who traveled north of the border and were played off the park by a CF Montréal team that entered the weekend last of all 30 MLS clubs.

Here are five key takeaways from the 4-1 defeat. Click here for Saturday’s post-match recap.

1. This Season Is Going To Be a Rollercoaster

Last weekend’s spirited 2-2 away draw against defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami proved that the Red Bulls could play their brand of fast-paced, aggressive football against anyone.

But on Saturday, the Red Bulls’ back line was leaky, careless on the ball and error-prone, inviting attack after attack from Montréal.

There’s a lot of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in this team. You’re not sure which team is going to show up, the one that was humiliated 6-1 in Charlotte or the one that responded with a 4-2 statement win against FC Cincinnati.

Granted, there was always going to be a learning curve for a young squad that is being guided by a first-year head coach in Michael Bradley, but the swings between looking like one of the most exciting teams in the league to one of the most beatable are wild and erratic.

2. Defensive Struggles Are Clear

The final 4-1 scoreline could have been worse if not for goalkeeper Ethan Horvath sparing the Red Bulls from further blushes.

“We had a really poor start this afternoon,” Bradley said during his post-match media availability. “Let a team that has had a difficult period grow into the game, let them step up on us, let them squeeze us, let them turn some mistakes into chances. So from the beginning, we were poor.”

New York’s 19 goals conceded through eight MLS matches is the worst defensive start in club history.

Seven of those goals against have come when this team has been pitted against a struggling Montréal side that turns on a switch to find its mojo against the Red Bulls. Six goals were conceded away in Charlotte.

That’s 13 goals against in three matches in isolation. If we can toss these three losing matches aside and call them an aberration, New York has only surrendered just six goals in the five matches that they’ve won or drawn.

But when it rains, it pours, and the absence of injured defender Justin Che was apparent for all to see.

Michael Bradley Gives Update on Red Bull New York Defender Justin Che’s Return Timeline

3. Rotation and Heavy Legs Are a Concern Amid Packed Schedule

Bradley chose a very experienced side to face reigning USL Championship title winners Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Wednesday. He showed Pittsburgh plenty of respect by fielding a strong XI and pushed the Red Bulls into the last 16 of the U.S. Open Cup by securing a 3-1 victory.

After losing 4-1 in Montréal, Bradley admitted that the required energy wasn’t there.

“Physically we had nothing tonight in terms of energy, in terms of intensity, in terms of the ability to stay connected and step up, move over, sprint back when we needed to,” Bradley said after Saturday’s defeat.

“We were in those ways, really, really poor. So when we got to halftime, and obviously we were down, we felt like it was an afternoon that we needed to make some changes, to get fresh legs and energy and to really see if we could change the game.”

Six of Wednesday’s starters returned to the starting XI against Montréal, including 34-year-old captain Emil Forsberg.

Following Saturday’s match, Forsberg has played for 224 minutes over three matches within the span of a week, and he’s not likely to be rested against DC United on Wednesday.

The Red Bulls have four matches coming over a stretch of 11 days between April 22 and May 2. Bradley’s system demands fast legs, boundless energy and long vertical runs. This period of matches will truly test New York’s depth and overall quality.

4. Where’s Choupo?

Julian Hall may be 18, but you don’t want to run him into the ground. He played for 95 minutes in Montréal, and Bradley used his final sub to replace Forsberg with veteran forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in the 80th minute.

Perhaps Wednesday’s match against Pittsburgh could have been an opportunity to keep Choupo-Moting involved while giving Hall a rest. The 37-year-old forward was not named in the squad, and Hall was substituted in the 57th minute.

After scoring 18 goals in 38 matches across all competitions last season, Choupo-Moting has only seen 113 minutes of MLS action this season over seven matches played.

As long as Bradley sticks with a 4-3-3 formation, one striker will play up top. At some point, Hall will need to catch a breath, and Choupo-Moting will get his chance.

5. A Chance to Rebound Against DC United

Early into Bradley’s tenure, the Red Bulls have responded to poor results with inspiring performances.

The 3-0 home defeat to Montréal was followed by a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer by Choupo-Moting to steal a point in Toronto. A burn-the-tapes 6-1 defeat in Charlotte was followed by a resurgent 4-2 win against FC Cincinnati.

Bradley has put a focus on building character and identity in this squad. The Red Bulls will need to turn the page quickly ahead of Wednesday’s match against DC United and get back to playing their brand of front-footed, full-hearted football.

More Red Bull New York Coverage

CF Montréal Hammer Red Bull New York 4-1 at Saputo Stadium

Michael Bradley: Red Bull New York ‘Really Excited’ for NYCFC U.S. Open Cup Derby

South Ward Central Mailbag #2: Shaw’s Potential, Choupo’s Role, Gotham Depth

Red Bull New York Cruise Past Pittsburgh 3-1 to Set Up NYCFC Clash in U.S. Open Cup

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