Vancouver FC and Pacific FC played to a 1-1 draw at 91原创's Willoughby Community Park on Saturday, recording the first ever Salish Sea Derby  draw.

Vancouver opened the scoring in the 18th minute, as Nicol谩s Mezquida scored his second goal in as many games for VFC, slotting home after a nice through ball from Terran Campbell, who had intercepted a pass just moments earlier to earn possession.

From there, however, the game changed in the 51st minute, as Vancouver's Kunle Dada-Luke was sent off in his first match against his old team, putting the hosts down a player for the rest of the evening.

Pacific would eventually take advantage of that advantage, too, and found a 70th-minute equalizer, as Marco Bustos picked out Aly Ndom with a great cross, and Ndom would make no mistake with his header from close range.

Then, despite a late push from Pacific, Vancouver would hold on the rest of the way, however, leaving both teams to settle for the draw in the end.

Vancouver FC head coach Afshin Ghotbi sounded a positive note after the game.

鈥淲e have found the right balance, especially in our defensive structure, and we're getting more consistent performances from our defenders and our midfielders," Ghotbi commented.

"I also think defending is always about how you defend as a team, and that starts from the front, putting pressure on the ball, making it difficult for them to play between lines and with their strikers."

Mezquida was named player of the match.

The declaration noted Mezquida "has already proven to be an important calming force in Vancouver's attack, and he showed off that composure on his goal, his second in as many games."

He was also good on the ball, too, completing 21 out of 24 passes (88%), adding two shots, completing two dribbles and two long balls, while chipping in with one tackle, four recoveries and winning six out of 15 duels defensively.

Vancouver will head out on the road for their next match, to Winnipeg to take on Valour FC at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, May 3 at 4 p.m.