In a sports market where the Vancouver Canucks have long been king, the ascendant Whitecaps are putting up a pretty good challenge for the crown.

Bound for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final and sitting top of the table in Major League Soccer, the exciting Whitecaps have been a balm for local sports fans feeling burned by the sad state of their NHL team.

Witness the scene both in Miami and at watch parties around Vancouver Wednesday night, where excited soccer fans could barely believe their eyes w…