A postgame fireworks show went awry at BMO Stadium on Friday night, when fireworks launched onto the playing field sent flares into the stands, forcing fans to disperse to safety.
Angel City FC played the Orlando Pride at BMO Stadium, returning from a month-long layoff to win the match 2-0. But it was the promised post-match fireworks celebration that caused the biggest stir.
Videos of the pyrotechnic display show the field filling with high showers of sparks and dense smoke as dozens of fireworks are launched upward. However, in what was to be the climactic finale of the show, the fireworks began to take off horizontally, heading towards the half-filled stands.
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From her club seat with her friends, subscriber Jade Greenhut captured the center circle spectacle. He said he pulled out his phone and started recording after the first errant missile of the volley headed straight for the Angel City team's bench.
“Oh my god!” ” a woman's voice shouts in the Greenhut video as at least two fireworks are launched into the nearby stands, sending fans scrambling to get out. Two more fireworks traveled across the field and into the stands. Off-camera, a man says, “Everyone's running!”
A spokesman for the football club said the organization had no information “of any serious injuries” from the wayward pyrotechnics.
“An outside vendor was hired to facilitate the pyrotechnics,” said Stephanie Rudnick, head of communications for the Angel City Football Club, from her home in Australia.
“A fireworks malfunction occurred during last night's post-match celebration between Angel City FC and Orlando at BMO Stadium,” the team said in a statement to The Times. “Our medical and security teams were on site and ready to respond. Stadium operations confirmed that the venue was safe and that guests, staff, players and team were able to exit safely.
“We are working closely with our pyrotechnics supplier to review the incident and evaluate appropriate next steps.”
Greenhut was baffled by the post-match chaos. He said many fans had already left in the 20-minute interval between the end of the game and the fireworks show, leaving the stands relatively empty and reducing the chance of injuries.
The air was already clear when the stadium was evacuated. Her ticket ambassador approached her afterwards to apologize. “He was like, 'We did this for him. [Los Angeles Football Club]and everything was fine,'” he said. “I don't blame them at all.
“Honestly, the game was fantastic. We played phenomenal,” Greenhut said.
But maybe next time, he said, Angel City could use drones.
—Lila Seidman contributed to this story.
