If there is one word that fits Seattle Sounders midfielder Michael Seamon, it is discipline, which ties closely into his line of work.

Seamon, born and bred in Rahway, New Jersey, made a quick jump from June graduation at Philadelphia’s Villanova University to starting midfielder for the Seattle Sounders.

While acknowledging that Seamon possessed much promise, Coach Sigi Schmid also noted that he did not wish to rush the 21-year-old rookie and wanted to give him sufficient time to develop and adapt to MLS competition. The fact that he made it into the starting lineup this fast indicates Schmid’s belief that Seamon is a fast learner who has absorbed his lessons thoroughly.

People can absorb more quickly if they possess exceptional levels of discipline. From the time he was young this was an attribute that Seamon possessed.

“I always listened to my parents and my family was always important in my development,” Seamon said after Wednesday’s Sounders workout in Tukwila. “My mother and father, my three sisters, we formed an important bond.”

Seamon began playing soccer at five. When did he begin thinking that he had the tools to become a professional player?

“It was during my junior season at Villanova,” Seamon revealed. “I still had not thought about it, though. I just kept concentrating on the job at hand, doing my best to help my team win.”

In short, Seamon was a disciplined player with his objective focused on the present. There were games to win at Villanova and if he did his best he would develop and the future would reveal itself.

By Seamon’s senior season he was chosen All-Big East. He was selected as 27th pick in the 2009 MLS Super Draft. “Michael Seamon is a bigger, stronger player and his versatility helps us,” Sigi Schmid enthused.

When the 6'1", 183 pound Seamon stepped onto the Xbox Pitch of Qwest Field for the first time during a May 26 friendly with the highly regarded Buenos Aires team Boca Juniors he experienced an event that odds-wise would rank in the billions.

Not long after stepping onto the field Seamon handled the ball for the first time in his professional career and produced a goal. Did he think at the time about how rare the event was that occurred? What were his feelings at that moment?

“I was just thinking about what I needed to do, keeping my mind on the game,” Seamon revealed.

Seamon's goal was a case of his steady discipline once more kicking in, and his recognition of the need to stay in control at all times.

Seamon’s major at Villanova was Criminal Justice. Such an interest involves law and order. If there is one thing that is inextricably linked to Seamon’s midfield duties it is order, coordinating activity in the center of the field between the Sounders’ offense and defense.

Seamon has achieved a facility and understanding at midfield stemming from the fact that he has played there for so long, extending from to youth soccer to his college days at Villanova and currently. “I moved around and played in the middle and on the sides,” Seamon explained, “but I was always playing as a midfielder.”

One of the things that Seamon likes about playing midfield is the perspective. He also likes the fact that a midfielder can generate such a positive impact on the flow of the game.

“You get a real feel for the game,” Seamon explained. “The longer you play there the more comfortable you feel. I have played next to Nate Strugis and we have developed a bond and a feel for what is happening.”

Then there is also that opportunity to help strikers score goals.

“At midfield we can help a striker like Fredy Montero feel more confident,” Seamon said. “As we work together with him to help him get a chance to drive toward the net and score goals.”

In addition to his family influence, Seamon named some role models from sports. One of them was a natural for a young man who grew up in New Jersey, so close to one of the most successful franchises in sports history.

“I like people who have the ability to win,” Seamon’s eyes twinkled with enthusiasm. “I like Derek Jeter. You put Jeter at shortstop against somebody else who has great ability and he will win because he has that competitiveness that winners have. For the same reason I also like Michael Jordan and Tom Brady. They are also people who have proven that they know how to win.”

Seamon’s opportunity to achieve starring status began in the second half of a 3-1 road loss to the Western Conference-leading L.A. Galaxy. Coach Sigi Schmid had expressed dissatisfaction to Sounders play-by-play commentator Arlo White over holes he saw at midfield in the first half, indicating that he would make halftime changes.

Trotting onto the field in the second half were Seamon, along with Nate Jaqua. At game’s end Schmid cited as one of the evening’s bright spots in defeat the improved second half play at midfield.

When the Sounders came home to play FC Dallas in a match that ended in a 1-1 tie, Seamon was a midfield starter. He played and has continued to function as a starter despite an ankle injury.

“Michael Seamon is a tough guy,” Schmid acknowledged.

The ankle injury continues to heal. Seamon says that he currently stands at about 90 percent of full capability. Meanwhile he continues doing his job, patrolling midfield for the Sounders with that characteristic Michael Seamon discipline.

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