11.   His team avoided what would have been only the sixth four-game sweep in series history.

12.   Still, the hype and extra pressure is something the team would rather avoid.

13.   The team already had avoided arbitration by reaching settlements with catchers Jason Varitek and Scott Hatteberg, third baseman Chris Stynes and pitcher Rolando Arrojo.

14.   The team avoided all talk of political tension between the countries stemming from the forced landing of a U.S. spy plane on Chinese soil.

15.   The team avoided all talk of political tension between the countries stemming from the emergency landing of a U.S. spy plane on Chinese soil.

16.   The World Cup quarterfinals beckon and the fancied teams are all avoiding each other.

17.   The World Cup quarterfinals beckon and the fancied teams are avoiding each other.

18.   This season the team narrowly avoided relegation.

19.   At the very least, this US team should avoid being a humiliating embarassment to a nation where football struggles for a following.

20.   Teams have simply avoided throwing against Sanders, who has seven interceptions this season.