Dynamo look to end season on a high note against Chicago

There are a lot of similarities between the two teams heading in to this final match of the regular season. Both are also saying goodbye to a beloved part of the team. Both are coming off losses. Houston's had their final home game of the season spoiled by the New England Revolution and now the Dynamo are hoping to spoil Chicago's. Both are out of the playoffs-Houston sits 8th and Chicago 9th. Houston currently has 39 points and Chicago 33 points both will be looking to add three points to their total to finish out the season.

Houston's game against the Revs last week was the final game at BBVA Compass stadium led by head coach Dominic Kinnear as he heads to San Jose at the end of the season. The team and fans used #ThanksDom to honor him on social media before and during the game. Chicago has a similar hashtag going for retiring midfielder Logan Pause - #ThanksLogan. Regardless of the impending change at the top things are still the same preparing for this week according to Giles Barnes.

"We are preparing the same as we would every week. You know what Dom is like it's he wants to win games and this team wants to win games" said Barnes when asked about Chicago. "So, we will be working hard in training and working to get those three points in Chicago."

While neither team has the playoffs to play for, both still have their pride on the line. Chicago has won just three regular season games at home this season while posting eleven ties. Houston has lost eleven, won three and tied two games on the road this season . Quincy Amarikwa leads the Fire with eight goals so far this season while Giles Barnes is the Dynamo leader with 11.

The Dynamo have lost three of their last four as they finish out a tight schedule that saw them play four games in two weeks. While some have speculated that the team has let off the gas after the news of Kinnear leaving got out, Giles Barnes disagree chalking up any letting off to fatigue.

"As a professional athlete you have to go out there and give 100% and try and make it work regardless of any situation being out of the playoffs or your manager leaving. You get to be yourself and you get to be free when you are on the pitch." Barnes went on, "Maybe it's just people are tired. We have had a lot of games in the last 8 days. If people are a little bit sloppy it's a mental thing. It's not people thinking 'Oh Dom's leaving' if anything it's just a bit of fatigue kicking in."

It has been an up and down season for the Dynamo, but Friday will be the last chance for fans to see their team in action this season. The last time to see Dom Kinnear lead the team as head coach. You can bet the players will leave it all on the field as they play their hearts out one last time in 2014.