Giles Barnes talks Dynamo injuries, goal scoring and more

He gets his hair cut the day before games and always puts his left sock and boot on first. This season we have gotten to see eleven goal celebrations from him-some planned, some off the cuff. With one game left in the season Giles Barnes finds himself leading the team with eleven goals.

Giles Barnes had been a shining spot in a roller-coaster season for the Dynamo. World Cup call-ups and injuries have contributed to an ever changing line up.

"There were times where you would look around and there just wasn't anyone there" Barnes said. "I think at one point we only had about 15 guys able to play."

Surrounded by his injured teammates Barnes didn't let the thought of suffering his own injury enter his mind.

"You can't ever worry about injuries. It's up to God if something like that happens. I have had my own bad injures in the past and you can't let it affect you. You just gotta go out there and play the best game that you can" he said.

This season the game has taken Barnes all over the field as injuries required him to drop back into the midfield for a while. No longer just able to push forward since coming to the team Barnes has learned to drop back and defend the ball better. This was a season that needed his constant energy and pace on the ball.

When Ricardo Clark was out with a concussion Barnes found himself starting on the wings in the midfield. When Mark Sherrod tore his ACL against DC United early in the season Barnes found himself back up top playing with Will Bruin. Then injury struck Will Bruin and Barnes found himself partnered with Omar Cummings.

"I always try to play my game. If there is something that my partner is doing better on the day I always try to do something else to try and compliment that whether it is staying up high or dropping a little bit lower or trying to get in behind or get on the ball more," said Barnes.  "When you are up front together you work as a pair. You try to work together as much as possible."

Changing positions back and forth and changing partners up top hasn't stopped Barnes from scoring eleven goals and earning five assist on the season thus far. But is he happy with eleven goals?

"Yeah for sure, I am actually. I spent a lot of the season playing in a deeper roll when everyone was out. I played in the midfield in a lot of the games. So, to hit 12 goals in all competitions is great. I've still got one game left. I am hungry for more so hopefully  I can get a few more. It is always nice to add to the season total."

Right now his season total has him in the lead for most goals on the team, a lead he will try to make even bigger during the last game of the season against Chicago.