The crossover capacitor blew up and leaked. You probably drove the speaker too hard or an after market capacitor was installed that was not rated enough.
Many large electrolytic caps have white goo in them. You can confirm by opening up your speaker and look for a swollen capacitor. When they explode the goo can go in almost any direction - just like a pin prick leak in a pipe that sprays a couple of feet. I am surprised it leaked out the front - speakers are supposed to be air tight.
https://youtu.be/X6-3hacwFu4
Many large electrolytic caps have white goo in them. You can confirm by opening up your speaker and look for a swollen capacitor. When they explode the goo can go in almost any direction - just like a pin prick leak in a pipe that sprays a couple of feet. I am surprised it leaked out the front - speakers are supposed to be air tight.
https://youtu.be/X6-3hacwFu4