Charlotte FC 'showing character' in MLS Cup Playoffs hunt - Brandt Bronico | OneFootball

The six points Charlotte FC have taken from their last two games to stay alive in the Cup Playoffs race have not come easily.

went into their match against NYCFC on September 10 on a run of three consecutive defeats, on the verge of being eliminated from Playoffs contention in their expansion year.

But after going 1-0 up inside five minutes, Charlotte were able to hold out for the win, even with Christian Fuchs sent off in the 56th minute.

In the next match against the Chicago Fire, without their suspended captain, Charlotte found themselves 2-0 down after half an hour, but scored three goals in 28 minutes at the end of the second half to pick up another vital win.

Three places and four points now separate CLTFC from the Playoffs with just three fixtures remaining, but they're not giving up without a fight.

“I think it's something internal, that we've kind of been waiting to pull out of ourselves this year, to show that character and hold on in situations of adversity like that," midfielder Brandt Bronico said (via the ).

"To show the character to go down a man with 30 minutes left in the game and still win the game. And also, to come back from being down and to win the game three to two, I think that speaks a lot about what this team is ultimately capable of when, when we really do believe in ourselves and each other."

It was always going to take time for Charlotte to gel as a unit. After all, this is a brand new group of players learning each other's strengths and weaknesses, and that process wasn't helped by the mid-season removal of Miguel Angel Ramirez as head coach.

Ramirez's interim replacement, Christian Lattanzio, has certainly done his part to help steady the ship, though.

"Something that Lattanzio has put into us with his tactics and his system over the course of the past couple of months and ultimately us spending more time together and throughout the season," Bronico responded when asked who was responsible for Charlotte growing in character.

"Just becoming more of a team as the year went on to get those past two wins.”

To keep their Playoffs hopes alive, Charlotte face the unenviable task of having to beat Eastern Conference leaders and Supporters' Shield chasers Philadelphia Union this weekend.

But they'll attempt it in front of a bumper crowd, with the upper bowl opened at Bank of America Stadium for the first time in a competitive match since their inaugural home game against the LA Galaxy, when Charlotte broke the MLS attendance record.

"It's a fan appreciation night and the fans have done so much for us and have been so incredible and amazing all year long," said Bronico. "So, I feel like it'd be appropriate to get a win for them this weekend as they've supported us so much this season."