Please read the following table in Markdown format and then answer the question according to the table. Table cells in one row are seperated by '|', and different rows are seperated by '
'.

Table:
| Season | MLS Reg. Season | MLS Cup Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup | CONCACAF Champions Cup / Champions League |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1997.0 | 1st, West (14-11) | Lost Conference Semifinals [Colorado Rapids 0-2) | Round of 16 | Did not qualify |
| 1998.0 | 6th, West (12-20) | Did not qualify | Round of 16 | Did not qualify |
| 1999.0 | 6th, West (8-24) | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2001.0 | 3rd, West (11-13-3) | Lost Quarterfinals (Miami Fusion 1-2) | Round of 16 | Not held |
| 2002.0 | 5th, West (9-10-9) | Lost Quarterfinals ( Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2) | Semifinals | Semifinals |
| 2005.0 | 5th, East (11-9-12) | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals |
| 2006.0 | 5th, East (10-14-8) | Did not qualify | Round of 16 | Did not qualify |
| 2008.0 | 4th, East (11-10-9) | Lost Conference Semifinals (Columbus Crew 1-2) | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
| 2009.0 | 6th, East (8-13-9) | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
| 2010.0 | 3rd, East (11-13-6) | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2012.0 | 1st, East (18-7-9) | Lost Conference Semifinals (Houston Dynamo 1-2) | Champions | Did not qualify |
Question:
When was the first season?
Answer:
1997.0