On a warm evening, the MLS NEXT Pro contest between St. Louis City 2 and Austin FC II seemed poised for a quiet start, but the calm was shattered when gunshots rang out just beyond the perimeter of Energizer Park, sending ripples of panic through the crowd.
Spectators were quickly ordered to seek refuge in the restrooms, while players and staff were ushered off the pitch by officials, and the referee sprinted away from the field.
Referee and Coaches React
The referee, Rodrigo Albuquerque, was seen darting off the grass as coaches from both sides gestured frantically for their squads to retreat to the locker rooms, and within minutes the entire venue was emptied through the tunnel.
Crowd Chaos and Evacuation
Panic spread through the stands as screams echoed around the venue, and stadium personnel moved swiftly to clear fans from the premises, guiding them toward the restrooms until authorities declared the area safe.
Police Involvement
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed it had been contacted for comment, and while investigators have yet to release details, early reports suggest the gunfire originated from a location roughly a block east of the stadium.
Broadcast and League Response
Television feeds captured a "Technical Difficulties" banner lingering on the screen for more than half an hour before the game was officially listed as delayed on the league’s site, reflecting the abrupt interruption.
League officials later explained that the delay was due to safety protocols, and the match will be rescheduled once the area is deemed secure, underscoring the growing concern over spectator safety at lower‑division fixtures.