The Rapids are set for a matchup against a new-look San Jose Earthquakes side on Saturday, March 14. To preview this week’s game, we caught up with MLS Season Pass broadcaster, Paul Dolan. The former Canadian international goalkeeper was the youngest goalkeeper to ever appear in a World Cup back in 1986 and has moved his career to the broadcast booth since hangingup his boots. He will be paired with play-by-play partner Blake Price on the English broadcast for Apple TV and MLS Season Pass this weekend.
As a former player, do you view the game any differently now that you are in the broadcast booth?
I see the game much more broadly now than I ever did as a goalkeeper where my main focus was on the back four and my own role within the team. Every thought I had in a game or practice was with a view toward how we could prevent goal-scoring opportunities whereas now I'm fascinated by the different tactics and strategies I get to hear MLS coaches speak to us about before each game day. It's incredible to see the details these guys pick up on for each opponent and their own players and how they want to attack each game and we announcers are grateful for the insight they provide to help us tell the story during the broadcast.
Jesse Marsch and Chris Armas have been close for their entire careers, do you see any similarities in Jesse’s coaching style with Canada to Chris’ with Colorado?
They've been extremely close having played together for 8 years in Chicago and then maybe more influentially, having coached together at RBNY for four years where you can now see parts of the global Red Bull style of play is so entrenched into each of their teams. Both are committed to a ball-oriented style of play which is aggressive and further up the pitch, where the spacing is controlled and where pressing--then re-pressing as soon as the ball is lost--are keys to the way they approach the game. Although, I will say Chris and the Rapids have shown they can be a very good transition team as well, similar to how Canada plays with Marsch. They both want to get vertical quickly. I would also say that what they both do off the field in terms of their man-management is equally important in building trust and confidence in their players. Moise Bombito is a good example of that where both coaches have had a big part in lifting his game to be a Rapid's record transfer and a first-choice starter for Canada.
As a former goalkeeper for the Canadian Men’s National Team, what is your opinion on Zack Steffen and his emergence back into the U.S. roster?
It's great to see and well-deserved. I remember my good friend Pat Onstad, who is now the General Manager at Houston, telling me about this young goalkeeper he was coaching in Columbus when he was the goalkeeper coach there and that he would be the next U.S. number one. Zack had a bit of a baptism by fire in Germany and England, and that experience seems to be helping him settle back in MLS where he was so instrumental in taking Colorado to the Leagues Cup Semi-Final last season and was named goalkeeper of the tournament. Consistency and reliability are the keys any team is looking for in a goalkeeper and two clean sheets in three games to start the season is something for him and the Rapids to build on. It's good for Rapids fans as well, as I remember how hard I used to push myself with my club team to ensure I was part of the National Team. So, there is a motivation factor now for Zack this MLS season to push himself to be a part of the World Cup '26 squad next year.
What are your thoughts on this year’s Rapids team?
I think they're a good team that will be even better when their injured players are back and their depth improves. I really like the addition of Chidozie Awaziem as a central defender who can play the role vacated when Moise Bombito left mid-season and they'll really benefit having Ted Ku-DiPietro up and down the wing once he's ready to go. It often comes down to how well your best players play for you, and with Djordje Mihailovic and Rafa Navarro clicking the way they can and did last week, you've got two game-winners that will give you a chance in every game. I like what Josh Atencio brings to secure the midfield, but I do feel they could use an added piece or two in the summer to put them over the top when other teams look to be improving in the West this year and we know it will be a very competitive conference again.
How do you see Saturday’s matchup playing out?
I wonder if the Earthquakes will push to make things right after losing at home last week and may leave themselves a little susceptible on the break by pushing players forward. They just weren't able to break down a very organized Minnesota defenseand it's possible Chris Armas will use that same tactic as he did against Austin where, once the Rapids took the lead last Saturday, they were able to hold the fort with very disciplined defending. Although, that would go against their nature to stay high and aggressive and look for a killer goal to finish the game. It seems Colorado is a bit more attack-minded at home so the key is whether they can defend against what has gone from one of the weakest offensive teams in the league to one of the strongest now in San Jose with the addition of Josef Martinez and Chicho Arango. I also think if Colorado can be aggressive against the ball in the San Jose half, there are turnovers to be had where Mihailovic and Navarro can work their magic.
