Everything Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman said after being named to USMNT World Cup roster

The U.S. men's national soccer team roster for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is set and two Nashville SC players are on it.

Nashville right back Shaq Moore and center back Walker Zimmerman were part of the 26-man roster that U.S. Soccer revealed Wednesday at a live roster reveal party at Brooklyn Steel in New York City.

Moore, Zimmerman and the USMNT will begin their World Cup quest on Nov. 21 against Wales at 1 p.m., FOX) and will continue through the group stage on Nov. 25 against England (1 p.m., FOX) and Iran on Nov. 29 (1 p.m., FOX).

Here's everything Moore and Zimmerman said after being named to the USMNT's 2022 World Cup roster:

Their mentalities going to Qatar

Zimmerman: "I think for me, I don't think my style of play will change too much. It's what you guys see week in and week out in Nashville. It's about communication, organization, the passion and drive to win each and every play. And I think that when you do that, that's leading by example. So I'm gonna do my part to inspire other guys around me with with energy to make big plays and ultimately I think that's going to take care of itself."

Moore: "For me, it's obviously a privilege to come here, obviously the name to the team. Coming to Nashville (in July), I think it was the right decision to kind of catapult this move to the World Cup team. So I'm very happy to be on the team and looking forward to going to Qatar."

Representing Nashville, the South

Moore and Zimmerman were born in greater Atlanta. While Zimmerman was raised in Atlanta, Moore spent part of his childhood in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Zimmerman: "I think it's really cool. When you go to World Cup and you're on the world's biggest stage, you know that you're representing so much more than just yourself or your country, your club team or your hometown where you're from. And for us to be able to represent Atlanta and the growing U.S. Soccer scene there is amazing. And hopefully we can inspire kids the same way that Clint Mathis, from Georgia, inspired us. So it's just a fun part of the job — to be able to inspire people and represent your hometown."

Moore: "It's great to represent the South. Obviously, I have roots in Florida as well, so just being an idol to those kids that wish they could have a chance, knowing that it is possible and seeing two guys that came from where they're coming from to actually play in the World Cup is great. So obviously we want to hold that to a high standard and I just want to represent them the best way possible."

Shaq's roster expectation

Moore: "Actually, I had no idea. honestly. Going into the last MLS camp (in October), you want to leave your mark the best way you can. I thought I worked hard and did the best I can, so I was gonna be okay with whatever outcome it would be. But yeah, when (Berhalter) finally told me that I made it, it was really fun for me and my family. I worked hard to get here and I'm looking forward to getting there to Qatar and do a good job."

Seeing a Nashville teammate on the roster

Moore: "It's great to have your club mate going with the (U.S.) team and with you to the World Cup. Obviously representing Nashville is big for the club as well. Being around (MLS) three years long and having two guys go to World Cup is huge for the club. We're really proud of that. For me, I think it was big coming to Nashville. Got my confidence back that I needed to play games or play alongside Walker. If there was one guy on the team that would push me, it would be Walker to not let me ease up, so I'm happy for him and happy for myself as well."

Zimmerman: "It was really funny. I got the call on Sunday from Greg and talked to him. I talked to a few other friends. I was kind of waiting around to see if Shaq was gonna text me or not. I didn't want to ask him if he wasn't going. But I couldn't wait any longer and was like, 'Hey, man, have you heard from Greg? What's the word?' And he was like, 'bro, I'm in! I'm so excited.' And I was just overjoyed because it's so rare to have two guys on the same club team and play next to each other to go to World Cup.

"I'm so happy for him and proud of all the work that he's put in because it's not easy when you change leagues, back across the United States. You're dealing with so many things — getting settled into a new city, maintain your performance and increase your performance, show up with the amount of work ethic that he has every day in training. In the (MLS) camp, he scored a nice goal in the scrimmage, had some high workloads there in sprints. I mean just the physical work he was able to put in, in this last camp was inspiring and I couldn't be happier for him and the opportunity that we'll have to do this together."

Zimmerman on leadership

Zimmerman: "I think first of all, yes the experience is different because of the stakes, but going into play a soccer game is something that we've done thousands of times and I think it's so much of being a part of this team and the reasons why you make the team are being consistent with who you are. And so for me, that's not going to change. Yes, it's the World Cup. That doesn't mean I'm going to shy away from any leadership opportunity — organizing, communicating. That's a big part of who I am and I think it helps the team.

"To your second point, learning from others' experiences. Talking to DeAndre (Yedlin) like, 'hey man, what was that like (in 2014) when you got out there and got subbed on? What was that experience like,' trying to pick their brains and see if they have any advice as well. So, being humble enough to know that, yeah, I don't have the experience of being in a World Cup. That's part of it. Try and learn as much as you can, but when you go out there, it's about competing and about trying to win. If you can do that, I think that's gonna be leading to some leadership."

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC's Shaq Moore, Walker Zimmerman react to USMNT roster