Kyle Beckerman: A Fighter in Soccer, But a Lover in Real Life

Here's proof the U.S. player has a softer side.

ByABC News

June 26, 2014, 5:33 PM

 -- So much for that tough guy image, right?

Team USA's Kyle Beckerman has a takes-no-prisoners approach when he's competing for the World Cup, but in real life, he's romantic enough to pose for a series of mushy -- but touching -- engagement photos with wife Kate Pappas.

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The photos were taken last fall but resurfaced today as Team USA faced Germany at the World Cup, losing the match but still advancing to the next stage of the tournament. (Confused? We explain that here.)

Kate Pappas and Kyle Beckerman spend some time on the field together.

PHOTO: Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake argues with an official as Marcelo Sarvas of the Los Angeles Galaxy lies on the ground. — Robbie Findley and Kyle Beckerman of Real Salt Lake argues with an official as Marcelo Sarvas of the Los Angeles Galaxy lies on the ground during the first half of an Western Conference Semifinals MLS soccer game November 7, 2013 at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah.

Some of the sweet snapshots show Pappas on Beckerman's turf -- on the pitch at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy Utah, where Beckerman plays for the Real Salt Lake soccer club.

The couple got engaged last October and married this January in Salt Lake City.

Beckerman's fans might be shocked by the tender photos and his starry-eyed gaze, since he's known for being one of the roughest players on Team USA, unafraid to get physical with opponents.

Portugal's Raul Meireles falls on top of United States' Kyle Beckerman during the group G World Cup soccer match between the United States and Portugal at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Sunday, June 22, 2014.

Don't let the dreds fool you -- Beckerman is not laid-back when it comes to soccer. Case in point: Beckerman was accused of taking a cheap shot at one of Portugal's players on Sunday by elbowing him after the pair got tangled up in a play.

I mean, is this the face of a man who poses for loving, romantic photos in the wilderness? Well, apparently it is!

Kyle Beckerman at the World Cup 2014 game USA versus Germany game.

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