91原创鈥檚 professional soccer team pulled out a 1-1 tie against the visiting York United FC Saturday, despite the sweltering heat and a wardrobe issue.

One Vancouver Football Club (VFC) player was a sent back to the locker room to change his gear, officials saying an outfit he's worn much of the season on the pitch was not appropriate. While head coach Afshin Ghotbi was floored by the move, and was still trying after the game to find out what prompted the move, he did note that the gear change could have potentially cost the Eagles the game.

Officials re-started the game before the player could return, and ultimately York's Mo Babouli was able to score off his head while the Eagles were unexpectedly down that player.

Despite that, Ghotbi and defender Rocco Romeo, in talking to media after the game, applauded their team for rallying and coming back to tie it up before the 90-minute mark.

"I'm proud that they didn't lose their heads," Ghotbi said, noting everyone was a little frustrated and confused around the incident and subsequent goal for York.

"Our team is resilient," and they showed that on the home pitch after the second-half goal, said Romeo. "I'm proud of the boys."

Coming off two recent losses (Pacific, 2-1 and Ottawa, 3-0), and given the confusion of the moment, a young team like theirs could have lost concentration and determination, but that wasn't the case.

Instead, he saw his teammates remain positive and optimistic.

As for himself, he has a fall-back that he uses to push himself during such times in a game.

"I always quote a Rocky movie. It's kind of stupid, but there's a scene where Rocky's trainer keeps telling him 'no pain, no gain, and just keep going.' So, I just keep telling myself that, and I just try to push that kind of mentality on to the guys."

Alejandro Diaz, the VFC forward from Mexico, ultimately kicked one past York goalkeeper Thomas Vincensin and scored his sixth goal of the season to tie the game and earn each team one point with only minutes left in the game.

That brought Vancouver FC to 20 points in the season, and leaves them currently ranked 4th in the Canadian Premier League in this, their second season of play. The team is near the halfway mark in the season.

While the local team is down a few players to injures, one of their younger players, defender James Cameron, is off playing in Mexico this week.

The 19-year-old earned his third international call up, joining Canada鈥檚 Men鈥檚 U-20 National Team for the 2024 Concacaf U-20 Championship in Irapuato, Mexico.

鈥淛ames continues to take giant strides in his development and we are thrilled that he can be part of the next generation of Canadian football at the national youth level,鈥� said Ghotbi.

The global competition started July 19 and runs until Saturday, July 27.

As for Cameron's teammates back home in 91原创, they've been practising much of the week on the home pitch located next to 91原创 Events Centre.

Next up, the Eagles host Calgary鈥檚 Cavalry FC on Friday, July 26, at Willoughby Stadium. That will be followed by an away game on the BC Day holiday on Monday, Aug. 5, in Halifax against the Wanderers.