How about the fact that they end the World Cup (first soccer I ever watched was 82 final and couldn't believe what I'm seeing) on those very penalty kicks.
If you ever watch a high school game, you gotta love that the clock runs while the ball is in the parking lot.......Even with these guys, it runs while the goal scorer runs as far away as possible and they all run after him, finally catch him, jump on him, and celebrate for minutes.
Can you imagine any of the above mentioned things (by both of us) in any real American sport? It's insane.