Fireworks Malfunction at Angel City FC Celebration Causes Panic Among Fans

Fireworks Incident at BMO Stadium

On Friday night, a fireworks display following a match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles went awry, sending fireworks dangerously close to the audience and causing a chaotic scene as fans sought safety. This incident took place shortly after Angel City FC triumphed over the Orlando Pride with a score of 2-0, part of the club's Independence Day festivities. Eyewitnesses on social media reported that several fireworks veered off course, traveling horizontally across the field towards the crowd. One Reddit user recounted, "The end is actually the worst. I saw several flames go into the crowd. It was terrifying!" Another attendee expressed their distress, stating, "Two hours later and I'm still shaking. The dad next to me dove to cover his kids. Super scary and will have PTSD hearing fireworks in the future." One firework reportedly headed towards the area where Angel City FC co-founder Julie Uhrman and other guests were seated, while another struck a security guard on the field.

An Angel City FC representative confirmed the malfunction in a statement to a local news outlet, saying, "A fireworks malfunction did occur during last night's post-match celebration at Angel City FC's game vs. Orlando at BMO Stadium. Our medical and safety teams were on site and ready to respond. Stadium operations confirmed the venue was secure and guests, staff, players, and crew were able to depart safely. We are working closely with our pyrotechnics vendor to review the incident and evaluating appropriate next steps." Fortunately, initial reports suggested that no serious injuries were reported, and all attendees, including spectators, staff, and players, exited the stadium without incident. Some fans had previously expressed concerns regarding the club's post-match fireworks. One spectator mentioned, "I hate when we do them because they scare the crap out of my toddler. We try to sit in our seats late when we think they'll have them now for this reason." Another fan from Section 117 noted, "Everyone in my section seemed physically OK but really shook up. The one that flew towards us in the video narrowly missed a security guard and went into the advertising board." BMO Stadium, located in Exposition Park, is adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the University of Southern California campus. This incident followed Angel City FC's 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pride, marking interim head coach Leif Gunnar Smerud's first win in charge. The club continues to be a leading force in the National Women's Soccer League, excelling in attendance, sponsorship revenue, and merchandise sales.