I am also very much into football, so I will try to explain some simularities, and some insights into the mechanisms of soccer.
Teamwork is necessary in order to move the ball and set up your team mates, who are in a better position than you. No running back can outspeed 11 defenders for a TD, but if his teammates blocks well it might happen. The same goes for soccer, where Messi (the best individual player in the game) can be double-teamed and closed down for must of the match. However, if his teammates are also skillful and can get into a good position with the ball on their own, then the opponent is in trouble. Just like basketball/football’s “pick your poison”.
Skills with your feet and understanding of the game (soccer IQ) is required for all 11 players, otherwise you will loose the ball to the opponent way to quickly. This is a problem because, it is more enduring to play defense than offense, particalurly against teams with very gifted players. When the opponnent has many gifted players (like the Spanish national team), then your team needs to more much and cover a lot of ground in order to protect being exploited by the opposition. After 60 minutes of running around chasing the ball you will create more and more space and time for your opponents to set up a goal.
Okay, hence that controlling and passing skills are important, because it is better to keep the ball to give your defense and midfield a break. This is very simular to football, where you don’t want 3-and-outs which could eventually expose your defense that gets tired.
Turnovers are not just turnovers…
It is far better to create a takeaway close to the opponent’s goal rather than in your own zone. Doesn’t this sound familiar to football.

Soccer IQ is about understanding the dynamics of the game. When and which teammate is in a suited position, and what situation increases the chances of scoring. Every soccer player has decisions to make when possesing the ball, just like the quarterback has to scan the field.
Soccer IQ is also like basketball, where anybody can take a shot at the ring but where you would rather have Shaq take a shot near the basket, than setting him up for a 3-pointer, right. The same goes for soccer, where you want to set up your best players for a goal chance.

A succesfull 90-yard-drive for a touchdown normally requires even a few running plays, and short passes for no gain. However, your team is “on a mission”. The same goes for midfield play in soccer. When distributing the passes, and passing the ball around is like waiting for the opponent to open up. Much like running the ball in football will make the defense play “honest”.
Yes, there are not that many goals in a soccer match (typically an average of 2,5/per game), but again in football you will often have a quarter with only a field goal or even scoreless, and maybe just 2 or 3 TDs in a game.
Yet I love watching both football or soccer (on TV or at the stadium).
Soccer is more joyful to watch, if you appreciate good ball handling skills, teamwork and climax (goals!).
Football is more tactical (many in-game coaching decisions), more explosive (big collisions) and has more suspense/drama.
Both sports can be highly unpredictable with deflected shots at goal, muffed punts, turnovers, you name it.
Many believe that soccer is just about running and kicking the ball around.
But the margin of error is in fact very small, particalurly if it occurs in the wrong parts of the field, or if the opponent is able to exploit it quickly. A defensive error from one player, or a missed chance in front of the goal can end up costing the entire game. This is a little like a defensive TD’s or special team TDs can be game-breaking in football.
You have “a window of oppertunities” in soccer, and you need to capitalize from it, in order to succeed. The more dominant you play your opponent the bigger the “window” gets.

Which sport is more “manly”. Football is definitely more physical, however in order to play soccer, you need to be able to run freely, and wrecklessly like a wide receiver or cornerback. However the hits you do take in soccer match are fewer. But those you do take are flying two-feet tackles, high-speed collisions with the oppenents goalkeeper or brutal central backs, or jumping battles in heading situations, where elbows are flying high too. And this without any real protection.
After every 90-minute-match I have played in my career apart from being sore in my whole body from all the running and movements, I have always taken a few hits on my legs, head, rips etc. You need at least 2-3 days to recoup, but it is true that it takes longer in football. Basketball, hockey etc. can be played every day. This is definitely not possible in soccer. I guess that explains a lot.

Soccer is not a sissy/gay sport as you can definitely intimidate your opponnent with physical play, and end the other guy’s season with one deliberate dubious tackle.

I hope this explanation have enhanced the chances for some of you who did not understand the fascination of soccer. But I still LOOOOVE watching football too.. :-)