I wanted to take up archery when I was younger but there were no ranges where I lived. I might take up fencing over the summer or next semester for teh lulz (and because sables are cool).
Soccer is plenty exciting; people just don't dig it because there are no collisions and because it reqires attention. It also doesn't help that most soccer shown in the US is lower end British sides like Westham and Rangers for some reason.
Watch some good games like the upcoming Champion's League final, Copa Libertadores knockout stage, Mexican league playoffs or this summer's confederations tournament and then form an opinion.
Someone's made that comparison:
http://kotaku.com/5942389/football-is-basically-an-rpg