L.A. Takes to the Streets for Stanley Cup–and World Cup

L.A. Takes to the Streets for Stanley Cup–and World Cup

Los Angeles celebrated the Kings’ second Stanley Cup victory on Monday with a parade and rally that saw tens of thousands of people lining the streets in a raucous on downtown LA. Later that day, the streets filled with World Cup fans celebrating the 2-1 U.S. victory over Ghana in the opening match.

The Stanley Cup parade kicked off at noon and was followed by a ticketed, sold-out rally hosting 20,000 fans at 1 pm inside the Staples Center, according to the local CBS Newsaffiliate in LA. The mile-long parade began at the corner of Figueroa Street and and 5th Streets, and ended at the Staples Center and LA Live. 

The Kings team boarded nine double-decker buses, as did Mayor Eric Garcetti, who accidentally dropped the “F-bomb” at the rally. “There are two rules in politics,” he said. “They say never ever be pictured with a drink in your hand,” he continued while holding what looked like an aluminum Bud Light bottle, “and never swear. But this is a big f-in’ day, way to go guys!” 

His words were accompanied by a tweet from the mayor’s official Twitter page: 

Mayor Garcetti will be collecting on his winning bet with NY Mayor Bill de Blasio, as both men are slated to appear at 11:35 pm Monday night on Jimmy Kimmel Live. De Blasio lost (along with the New York Rangers) on Friday evening, and will be singing “I Love LA” on Kimmel’s show.

Meanwhile, the city celebrated the first American win of the 2014 World Cup, in which the team overcame past defeats to defeat–finally–a strong Ghanaian squad. The win propelled the USA to the top of the so-called “Group of Death,” in which four strong teams–including Germany and Portugal–will vie for two spots in the final round. 

Fans spilled onto the street following the 86th-minute game-winning header by John Brooks, cheering “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and marching triumphantly down Hollywood Boulevard.

Photos courtesy Omid Saleh

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