In his first season for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, former VfL Wolfsburg legend Marcel Schäfer shone, posting one of the productive seasons in front of goal in his career. With five goals and 11 assists, Schäfer earned a place in the USL All-League First Team after finishing second in the race to be the league's assist champion.

The former German international was one of the most clinical passers in the league, managing an 85.9 percent success rate as he played a key role in the Rowdies' run to the USL Cup Playoffs. It was his ability to strike from distance that brought the fans at Al Lang Stadium to their feet regularly throughout 2017, twice finding a place on the ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 thanks to brilliant finishes that punished those that allowed the veteran time and space. Here is a look at some of Schäfer’s best moments of 2017.