[Kathy]

Again, I refer you to the AP Stylebook, sports section (pertinent rule in bold):

COLLECTIVE NOUNS Nouns that denote a unit take singular verbs and pronouns: class, committee, crowd, family, group, herd, jury, orchestra, team.
However, team names such as the Jazz, the Magic, the Avalanche and the Thunder take plural verbs.
Many singular names take singular verbs: Boston is favored in the playoffs. The Cardinal is in the NCAA tournament.

[Kathy]

Again, I refer you to the AP Stylebook, sports section (pertinent rule in bold):

COLLECTIVE NOUNS Nouns that denote a unit take singular verbs and pronouns: class, committee, crowd, family, group, herd, jury, orchestra, team.
However, team names such as the Jazz, the Magic, the Avalanche and the Thunder take plural verbs.
Many singular names take singular verbs: Boston is favored in the playoffs. The Cardinal is in the NCAA tournament.