Why isn't lacrosse as popular and respected as other sports?

I played lacrosse for one season in 7th grade.when I first started I thought It was going to be easy but it wasn't.I realized how talented people are who played.lacrosse is one of the oldest sports too.too don't play anymore but I still love it.I just dont understand how this sport isn't as popular or respected as others.where I live it's popular because I live in Syracuse but other areas not so much.