The Fourth of July weekend festivities took a dangerous turn on Friday night after the fireworks show following the match at Angel City FC’s home ground seemed to malfunction. This sparked panic among the crowd, with people rushing for safety amidst the chaos.
Just moments after Angel City secured a 2-0 win over the Orlando Pride at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, things went terribly wrong during the planned fireworks display.
Instead of lighting up the night sky, several fireworks reportedly shot horizontally across the field, heading straight into the packed audience.
One visibly shaken witness shared, “Honestly, that finale was just the worst. I saw flames erupt in the crowd. It was terrifying!”
Another person echoed this sentiment later, still feeling the aftereffects. “Even two hours on, I’m still trembling. Nearby, a dad jumped in front of his kids for protection. I worry I might develop PTSD from just hearing fireworks again.”
Reports indicate that one stray firework aimed directly into the section where co-founder Julie Ehrman and her guests were seated. In another incident, a security guard on the field was struck by a separate firework.
Miraculously, despite the severe disruption and widespread confusion, initial accounts suggested that there were no significant injuries, and everyone was evacuated safely.
Some fans had previously expressed their worries about the post-game fireworks, pointing out that such displays could frighten young children.
One individual noted, “It’s something we avoid because it scares toddlers. We plan to leave late, thinking it will be safer.”
The crowd within the affected section showed signs of distress. “Everyone seemed okay physically, but they were all visibly shaken. One firework flew dangerously close to a security guard before crashing into a billboard,” a spectator recounted.
BMO Stadium, situated in Exposition Park near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the University of Southern California, witnessed this alarming episode right after Angel City achieved its first win under interim head coach Leif Gunnar Smerd, improving their record to 5-6-1.
Although the club’s standing in the NWSL isn’t particularly stellar—about 40% through the season—it remains a leading commercial success in the league, attracting the most fans, securing the highest sponsorship earnings, and enjoying notable merchandise sales while building a strong global presence thanks to its prominent ownership.
