Orlando City centerback

José Aja and the Lions’ young defenders are learning from their mistakes.

A 4-0 defeat is never easy, but Saturday in New England it was especially difficult for Orlando City centerback José Aja.

Aja’s two yellow cards got him ejected from the match and the Lions conceded two goals in the final 14 minutes playing down a man. As a result, he will be suspended for Orlando City’s next two matches — one for yellow card accumulation and the other for his red card.

“There were two plays that happened really quickly, and the ref decided to give me yellow cards,” Aja said after training Tuesday. “Now, I’ve learned from my mistakes and [have to] make sure I perform for the last few games because we need to get results.”

Aja’s first foul came in the 66th minute when he jostled with New England's Teal Bunbury after a goalkeeper clearance. Aja wrapped his arms around Bunbury’s chest and neck.

The ejection play happened in the 80th minute when Aja hustled to beat forward Kei Kamara. Aja overran the ball, allowing Kamara, who scored a hat trick that night, to get in front of him. As Aja reached a leg back for the ball, he tripped Kamara from behind and both crashed to the ground.

The official raced over, pulled a yellow from his pocket and then a red as Aja solemnly walked off the field.

Lions assistant coach C.J. Brown, a former MLS Cup champion defender, said he thought the second call was questionable and Aja should have jumped up and contested it.

“They called one early in the first half when the defender overcommits and he just lays himself out and then Rivas fouls him. They called Rivas for the foul,” Brown said. “Well, this time, same thing, Aja overcommits, and the guy kind of pulls his shoulder in so Aja reaches out and clips his foot. If you actually watch Aja’s reaction … he didn’t argue it, he just walked right off the field, which I think is a lack of experience also.”

Lack of experience is an issue for all of Orlando City’s centerbacks playing while veteran Jonathan Spector, 31, continues recovering from a knee injury.

Aja is 24 years old. The others rotating at centerback are Leo Pereira, 21, and Tommy Redding, 20. Spector said he’ll talk to Aja about the match, but that “it’s one game in an entire career.”

“I’ve had games like that, too, where it just doesn't go your way,” Spector said. “And, I wouldn't say he was the only one who didn't perform up to his potential, and he does have a lot of potential still.”

After matches, coaches spend two days reviewing video. Brown clips all the good and bad plays made by defenders and then holds review sessions with them.

Brown hopes watching those mistakes as a group help players pick up on each other’s tendencies and learn when to cover for one another when the first signs of potential issues develop in games.

The individual mistakes mostly happen in one-onone situations, Brown noted, especially with the taller players. 6-foot-4.

“Our stance is too big, so we get caught on late fouls or tripping guys or coming in late to plays,” Brown said.

He also thinks defenders too often let opponents stand two or three yards away instead of marking them more closely.

The positives? The back line’s organization overall, stepping, dropping and sliding into gaps, prior to the New England game. Communication also has improved.

With seven games left in a difficult end to the season, Aja and others are facing an ideal learning opportunity, according to Brown.

“It’s our job to try to put the big picture in front of him,” Brown said. “... They’re still young pros. We’re in a tough situation … now we're relying on them to push through.” Aja is