March 17, 2021 (CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Charlotte Independence today announced it has signed midfielder Brandt Bronico on loan for the duration of the 2021 season from MLS side Charlotte FC, pending league and federation approval.
“I wanted to be back in Charlotte playing soccer, so I am grateful to have the opportunity to go on loan with the Independence this season,” said Bronico. “Charlotte is a place I hold close to my heart and I’m excited to continue my soccer journey back in the city.”
Bronico, 25, was originally drafted by the Chicago Fire as the No. 47 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. In four seasons with the club, the midfielder made 66 appearances (40 starts), tallying two goals and eight assists.
A native of High Point, N.C., Bronico was traded from the Chicago Fire to Charlotte FC on Dec. 18, 2020. He became Charlotte FC's third-ever signing ahead of joining MLS in 2022, following Sergio Ruiz and Riley McGree.
“We are ecstatic about being able to work with Charlotte FC to allow Brandt to stay in Charlotte for this season,” said Charlotte Independence General Manager and Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “Brandt is a huge addition to our roster, not only as a player in his prime with significant MLS experience, but his style meshes perfectly with how we play.”
“This loan move is great news for both clubs, and the soccer community of Charlotte,” said Charlotte FC technical director Marc Nicholls. “It gives Brandt much-needed game minutes and allows him to integrate back into a community he knows well. We’re really excited about this deal with the Independence and look forward to watching them play in 2021.”
Bronico played collegiately for the Charlotte 49ers from 2013-16, scoring 25 goals and adding 23 assists. As a senior in 2016, Bronico was named the Conference USA Player of the Year and second-team All-America after scoring nine goals, including four game-winners. In 2015, he led Conference USA with 10 assists.
Bronico also played on local youth teams NC Fusion and Carolina Dynamo and graduated from Wesleyan Christian Academy.
“Brandt adds another dynamic element to our midfield, where his tireless energy and technical acumen will make us stronger on both sides of the ball,” said Jeffries. “I want to thank Zoran Krneta and Marc Nicholls with Charlotte FC for working with us to allow Brandt to join our group this season.”
Bronico joins Jake Areman, Clay Dimick, Junior Etou, Enzo Martinez, Brandon Miller, Austin Pack, Marcelo Palomino (on loan from Houston Dynamo FC), Hugh Roberts, and Valentin Sabella (currently loaned to Cancun FC) on the list of players confirmed for the 2021 season, as the club continues to negotiate with additional players.
March 17, 2021 (CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — Charlotte Independence today announced it has signed midfielder Brandt Bronico on loan for the duration of the 2021 season from MLS side Charlotte FC, pending league and federation approval.
“I wanted to be back in Charlotte playing soccer, so I am grateful to have the opportunity to go on loan with the Independence this season,” said Bronico. “Charlotte is a place I hold close to my heart and I’m excited to continue my soccer journey back in the city.”
Bronico, 25, was originally drafted by the Chicago Fire as the No. 47 overall pick in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. In four seasons with the club, the midfielder made 66 appearances (40 starts), tallying two goals and eight assists.
A native of High Point, N.C., Bronico was traded from the Chicago Fire to Charlotte FC on Dec. 18, 2020. He became Charlotte FC’s third-ever signing ahead of joining MLS in 2022, following Sergio Ruiz and Riley McGree.
“We are ecstatic about being able to work with Charlotte FC to allow Brandt to stay in Charlotte for this season,” said Charlotte Independence General Manager and Head Coach Mike Jeffries. “Brandt is a huge addition to our roster, not only as a player in his prime with significant MLS experience, but his style meshes perfectly with how we play.”
“This loan move is great news for both clubs, and the soccer community of Charlotte,” said Charlotte FC technical director Marc Nicholls. “It gives Brandt much-needed game minutes and allows him to integrate back into a community he knows well. We’re really excited about this deal with the Independence and look forward to watching them play in 2021.”
Bronico played collegiately for the Charlotte 49ers from 2013-16, scoring 25 goals and adding 23 assists. As a senior in 2016, Bronico was named the Conference USA Player of the Year and second-team All-America after scoring nine goals, including four game-winners. In 2015, he led Conference USA with 10 assists.
Bronico also played on local youth teams NC Fusion and Carolina Dynamo and graduated from Wesleyan Christian Academy.
“Brandt adds another dynamic element to our midfield, where his tireless energy and technical acumen will make us stronger on both sides of the ball,” said Jeffries. “I want to thank Zoran Krneta and Marc Nicholls with Charlotte FC for working with us to allow Brandt to join our group this season.”
Bronico joins Jake Areman, Clay Dimick, Junior Etou, Enzo Martinez, Brandon Miller, Austin Pack, Marcelo Palomino (on loan from Houston Dynamo FC), Hugh Roberts, and Valentin Sabella (currently loaned to Cancun FC) on the list of players confirmed for the 2021 season, as the club continues to negotiate with additional players.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Brandt Bronico
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: June 20, 1995 (age: 25)
Birthplace: Westminster, MD
Height: 5' 8"
Transaction: Charlotte Independence signs Brandt Bronico on loan from Charlotte FC on March 17, 2021.
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Brandt Bronico
Position: Midfielder
Birthdate: June 20, 1995 (age: 25)
Birthplace: Westminster, MD
Height: 5′ 8″
Transaction: Charlotte Independence signs Brandt Bronico on loan from Charlotte FC on March 17, 2021.
CURRENT 2021 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE ROSTER
Goalkeeper – Austin Pack, Brandon Miller
Defender – Clay Dimick, Hugh Roberts
Midfielder – Jake Areman, Brandt Bronico, Junior Etou, Enzo Martinez, Marcelo Palomino, Valentin Sabella
Forward –
CURRENT 2021 CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE ROSTER
Goalkeeper – Austin Pack, Brandon Miller
Defender – Clay Dimick, Hugh Roberts
Midfielder – Jake Areman, Brandt Bronico, Junior Etou, Enzo Martinez, Marcelo Palomino, Valentin Sabella
Forward –
The Independence will make the 2021 campaign its first season at the brand new American Legion Memorial Stadium. The $40 million entire rebuild of the historic venue which began last September is close to completion and is set to open a new chapter for the Jacks.
Located in Uptown Charlotte, the new venue will have a capacity of 10,500 including standing area, and the type of amenities that have become standard at new venues across the Championship in recent years. Among them, a first for the Independence, will be a full video scoreboard and views of the surrounding city skyline that will make for a memorable experience on game-nights and at other events.
2021 Season Tickets are now on sale to the general public here.
The Independence will make the 2021 campaign its first season at the brand new American Legion Memorial Stadium. The $40 million entire rebuild of the historic venue which began last September is close to completion and is set to open a new chapter for the Jacks.
Located in Uptown Charlotte, the new venue will have a capacity of 10,500 including standing area, and the type of amenities that have become standard at new venues across the Championship in recent years. Among them, a first for the Independence, will be a full video scoreboard and views of the surrounding city skyline that will make for a memorable experience on game-nights and at other events.
2021 Season Tickets are now on sale to the general public here.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE: The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team joined the United Soccer League (USL) Championship as an expansion team in September 2014. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse’s Charlotte Hounds, acquired the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. McPhilliamy and his investment group founded Queen City Sports Club with the goal of making Charlotte a better place to live through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of events that are provided for the community.
In the fall of 2018, Queen City Sports Club and the Charlotte Independence signed a 10-year lease to move to American Legion Memorial Stadium following a revitalization of the historic landmark set for the spring of 2021. The Independence is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to American Legion Memorial Stadium. For details on 2021 Season Memberships, visit https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/charlotteindependence or call 704-206-1515.
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ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE: The Charlotte Independence professional soccer team joined the United Soccer League (USL) Championship as an expansion team in September 2014. An ownership group led by Jim McPhilliamy, the President & Managing Partner of Major League Lacrosse’s Charlotte Hounds, acquired the USL franchise rights from the Charlotte Eagles. McPhilliamy and his investment group founded Queen City Sports Club with the goal of making Charlotte a better place to live through annual increases in both the quality and quantity of events that are provided for the community.
In the fall of 2018, Queen City Sports Club and the Charlotte Independence signed a 10-year lease to move to American Legion Memorial Stadium following a revitalization of the historic landmark set for the spring of 2021. The Independence is focused on building the profile of the club through culture, community and performance as the team moves to American Legion Memorial Stadium. For details on 2021 Season Memberships, visit https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/charlotteindependence or call 704-206-1515.
