CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ As Charlotte FC prepares for its playoff series with Orlando City SC, WCNC Charlotte sports director Nick Carboni got midfielder Brandt Bronico to do something he rarely does: sit down.
Bronico almost never stops during a match, covering an average of 12.15 km per 90 minutes on the pitch.
"I've always had it. Passion for the game," he said. "I'm super competitive. I always want to win. When we don't have the ball I'm running around and trying to get it back as soon as possible."
Charlotte FC continues to make progress every year, following their first-ever wild card appearance in 2023 with their first-ever playoff series in 2024 under new manager Dean Smith.
The best-of-three series starts at Orlando on Sunday night, and comes to Charlotte for Game 2 on Friday, Nov. 1. A game three would be back in Orlando.
"This is the kind of thing you dream about," Bronico said. "It means everything to me to bring this city a home playoff game and eventually and MLS Cup."
The home match promises to be electric, with the club offering tickets in the upper bowl of Bank of America Stadium.
But Bronico and his teammates are locked in on Game 1.
"It's one game at a time. We need to go down to Orlando and make sure we take care of business down there," he said. "Then we can put all of our focus and hype and energy into that home game, and hopefully give the fans what they want."
Bronico is an original member of the club, and played collegiately for the Charlotte 49ers. Bringing a playoff series to this city and supporters is that much more meaningful.
"I remember playing soccer here in college," he said. "Soccer was a thing but it wasn't that big of a deal. People tend to say soccer in the south, maybe there's not going to be too much hype. The fans have been tremendous since day one. Honestly, I don't think we could be where we're at without them."
Contact Nick Carboni at ncarboni@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.