Kekoa Osorio had the remainder of his final two weeks at home all planned in preparation for his first season as a soccer player for Southern Methodist University.

Instead, he spent part of yesterday packing for an unexpected detour — to Japan.

"I had to cancel and drop everything I thought I was going to be doing," he said.

Osorio, the Advertiser's co-State Soccer Player of the Year, was invited to play in his first international tournament with the U.S. Under-18 National Team.

The 2007 Kamehameha graduate leaves Friday to begin training for the SBS Cup. He flies to Los Angeles and then to Santa Clara for more training before heading to Japan.

"I'm pretty excited," said Osorio, a midfielder. "The U20s just had their tournament. Most of the pro coaches abroad go to tournaments like these."

The U18s just returned from Brazil for the Pan American Games, and if it wasn't for Osorio changing his phone number earlier this year, he might have been invited.

"My (U18) coach called me up and was like, 'Where have you been?' " said Osorio, who received the call last Friday.

Osorio has been in the U18 National Team pool for years, and hopes the domestic games he's played in will help him make the next step.

"Just playing with them domestically introduced me to a lot," he said. "Internationally, it's bigger and faster. You get used to the way of playing and you just have to adapt."

The Under-18 team does not play in a World Cup, but provides a bridge for young players to connect the U-17 and U-20 national team programs, according to www.ussoccer.com. The U-18s hold domestic camps and compete in international tournaments.

Osorio's ultimate goal is to be seen and hopefully signed by a professional team. Up first, after the U-18 tournament, will be to play for the SMU team, which he will join a few days later than he intended.

"My coach, Schellas Hyndman, told me not to turn this (the U-18 tournament) down," Osorio said. "That it's an honor."

Osorio and his cousin, Keoki Haole of Kapolei High, join a prestigious list of former Hawai'i soccer players at SMU. Most notable is former All-American Duke Hashimoto, who became the second player from Hawai'i to be drafted by Major League Soccer. Others include former Mustangs Ricky Shinn and Alika Cosner, and current player Cameron Holm.

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.