This could be a big week for soccer fans in Milwaukee. The Rampage plays that Open Cup match mentioned in last week's column on Wednesday at the Milwaukee County Soccer Complex.

Their opponent will be the Utah Blitzz. The Open Cup pits the best teams from the MSL and other premier leagues.

The Rampage also deserves some kudos for adding a game to the suspension of Dan Popik. Nothing against Popik personally, but he did go beyond the bounds in cussing out the refs. The league suspended him for three games, and the Rampage added a fourth.

It's the second time this season the Rampage has gone beyond a league disciplinary action. That sends a good message, especially to the thousands of kids who play soccer. It's saying sportsmanship does matter.

In other soccer buzz, sources tell me a further development on a downtown soccer stadium could be announced as early as Tuesday or Wednesday. A stadium with capacity up to 20,000 has been proposed near where the freeway spur currently runs northeast of the Bradley Center.

The Rampage, as well as UWM and Marquette, could use the facility. Maybe large prep tournaments could even be held there.

The Bucks will help kick off a new draught Tuesday, when a new beer at Rock Bottom is named after coach George Karl. You can join the party with George by making a donation of at least $25 to his Friend of Hoop foundation.

Karl and GM Ernie Grunfeld will work on another kind of draft Wednesday night, when they participate in the NBA annual meat market of college, and increasingly so high school, talent. The Bucks have no first round pick, so unless they make a trade they are unlikely to get a player who makes the team.

In other Bucks' buzz, Darvin Ham exercised a contract option that will keep him with the team next season. And, didn't George look a little like a politician himself in a photo with Commom Council president Marvin Pratt on the day June was declared Bucks Month?

How about Karl for Mayor?

Around $17 million has been pledged already for the Al McGuire Center on the Marquette campus. The sports facility will be built primarily as a practice facility for basketball and other sports. Some events will be held there that will be open to the public.

The facility sounds like it will serve as a fitting monument to Coach Al, who has such an impact on Marquette and Milwaukee in general.

Just when rumors about a possible sale of the team increased, the Mustangs got hot. They won their second game of the season last weekend after starting 0-8. Maybe these guys want to continue to play in Milwaukee.

Give coach Rick Frazier credit. He hasn't let the Mustangs quit despite their dismal start. No matter what the team's future in Milwaukee, the progress at the end of season should help next season.

The field continues to grow for the Greater Milwaukee Open with PGA veterans Fuzzy Zoeller, Corey Pavin and Peter Jacobsen committing to play at Brown Deer July 12-15.

Wouldn't it be great if the GMO could still land a top name player? Tiger Woods really owes the tourney, since he started his pro career here. But, don't expect any Tiger sightings. Tournament officials are working on some other golfers though.