PUTTING THE RAP ON U.S.

Trying to muster a kind word for the United States’ abysmal performance Monday against Germany, David Powell of the Times of London was left to praise the pregame music at Parc des Princes.

Wrote Powell:

“If Germany have the track record, the United States have the record tracks. They have never progressed beyond the second round, but they brought some fine music to the pre-match festivities. The public address blasted out one American music legend after another: Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, James Brown. The team lineup was less recognizable.”

Powell is a better music critic than soccer historian. The United States reached the semifinals in 1930.