On 11 January 2012, it was announced that Bolaños would be joining Chivas USA in Major League Soccer, accompanying compatriot Oswaldo Minda.

During the 2013 season he noticeably formed a successful striking partnership with Denis Stracqualursi which was known affectionately as Straq-Bol by Emelec fans.

Bolaños made his debut for Ecuador on 28 March 2015 in a match against Mexico, playing all 90 minutes of the game.

In the opening game against the hosts at the Estadio Nacional, he fouled Arturo Vidal, who consequently scored the first goal of the tournament from the penalty spot as his team defeated Ecuador 2–0.

[7] In the third match in Rancagua, he opened the scoring in a 2–1 victory over Mexico which eliminated the opponents, also setting up the second for Enner Valencia.