I find it boring too, but here a few reasons why its popular.
1. You don't need to be very tough (like hockey and football)
2. You can practice alone.
3. You only need a ball to play, no need for extra equipement.
4. You can play it almost anywhere.
I think its lack of popularity here is from a combination of America's need for instant gratification and violence/bloodlust. Soccer is like an art museum whereas football is more of a Roman colisseum.
I think it has something to do with other countries not being as accepting of gays. They therefore stay in the closet and play or watch soccer to expresas their homosexuality.