After a 2002 season in which he co-captained the Tar Heels and played everywhere from central defense to attacking midfield due to injuries, Pause signed a Project-40 contract with MLS.

Pause played the same role for the Fire in 2004, filling in for Jesse Marsch and Chris Armas, starting 19 games and adding two assists.

[3] With the additions of Arévalo Ríos and Jeff Larentowicz in the 2013 MLS season, Pause saw a reduction in playing time, appearing in only 15 matches and starting 11 of those.

[10] On July 4, 2009, Pause received his first cap playing the entire 90 minutes against Grenada while also registering an assist on Robbie Rogers' goal.

Chicago Fire Player Registry[11] In 2017, Pause was named Head Coach for Orange County SC[12] playing in USL Championship.