Austin Aztex vs. Miami FC, Jun. 19, 2010
photo: AustinAztex.com Photo Gallery

That’s the kind of Aztex team we wanted to see! In the midst of a bounty of World Cup group-stage matches, the 2,143 fans came out to see their local boys — and potential future national team players — at House Park last night. The play was good, and the atmosphere was exciting: we were on hand to witness Maxwell Griffin‘s hat trick, the first in team history.

Here’s a rundown of other post-match coverage:

  • box score — USSF

  • Griffin gets hat trick as Aztex win — Austin American-Statesman

    Austin’s Maxwell Griffin had seen the same situation play out only moments earlier. A one-on-one chance against the Miami goalkeeper had given Griffin the perfect opportunity to tally his third goal of the night and he missed the shot.

    This time, he wasn’t missing.

    Griffin bent in a goal in the 87th minute Saturday to clinch a 3-1 Austin (8-2-3) victory over Miami (2-3-7) and tally the first hat trick of his professional career. Griffin finished the game with eight shots, many of them in prime scoring position.

    “I easily could have had six today,” Griffin joked. “I’ll take the three goals. I’m happy with that.”

  • Max Griffin’s Hat Trick Carries Aztex Past Miami — AustinAztex.com

    The game took an interesting turn when the referee handed out two red cards in the 60th minute following a confrontation between Aztex midfielder Sullivan Silva and Blues’ (2-3-7) midfielder Sean Cameron. Both players had to leave the game and each team played out the rest of the match with 10 a side.

  • Video: Aztex vs Miami highlights (1:10) — AztexSoccer on YouTube

Austin and The Blues will have an immediate rematch in Miami next Saturday. But first, we’ll have one more game at House Park: the Red & White will play the Arizona Sahuaros in second round U.S. Open Cup action on Tuesday night. The winner of that match will face MLS’ Chivas USA, in Los Angeles, in the third round.