San Diego, get ready. The Club’s first-ever bobblehead giveaway is almost here. In honor of the community’s nickname for Anders Dreyer, “El Paletero,” the first 20,000 fans will receive an exclusive San Diego FC bobblehead on Saturday, May 16 against FC Cincinnati, presented by SHARP HealthCare.
After scoring the Club’s first-ever goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy, Dreyer quickly connected with the city, both on and off the pitch. As the season went on, fans embraced him with the nickname “El Paletero” and it continues to echo around Snapdragon Stadium.
“It came from his last name being Dreyer as in Dreyer’s ice cream, and he was serving up dimes, so it naturally rolled out. I forgot the exact moment, but it was from the onset that I noticed his soft serve ability, and it didn’t hurt that the Danes are credited for knowing their nieve,” said San Diego FC Play-by-Play Adrian García-Márquez. “On a hot summer day, who delivers? The ice cream man. But this is San Diego, so it’s, the paletero. Some early die hards were on the same frequency, and it stuck. He’s been serving up all flavors, especialmente de coco.”
What does “El Paletero” mean? It is a Spanish term for a street vendor who sells paletas (Mexican ice pops) from a pushcart. These vendors are often recognized by the jingle of a hand bell as they move through neighborhoods.
“I heard it last season and throughout the season I kept hearing it more and more and that was nice,” said Dreyer. “I feel like they like me as a person and as a player. I just try to do my best every day out here (at training), but also at the game so they hopefully keep chanting that name.”
During the 2025 season, “El Paletero” took to the streets of San Diego on a paletero bike, handing out free ice cream and prizes to fans across the community.
“It was nice to hand out ice cream for kids and adults, and it was a nice bike as well. It was a fun experience to drive around the beach, handing out the ice cream,” said Dreyer.
After a memorable first season, SDFC launched its 2026 Celebration Nights, including Anders Dreyer “El Paletero” Bobblehead Night on May 16. Inspired by his time riding the paletero bike, the bobblehead celebrates Dreyer’s connection with the San Diego community.
“I didn't expect it to become so big, but it's nice and I enjoy it. I'm still on Earth and I'm still on the ground and I'm not overthinking too much. I like that people want to do it,” added Dreyer. “I like that people love the way that I am, the way that I play football and I think that's the most important thing for me, that for young kids, I am a picture that they can look at and be like, ‘that's how I want to be.’”
Watch Dreyer unboxing his bobblehead:
Be a part of the moment and secure your tickets and get your hands on the Anders Dreyer “El Paletero” bobblehead. The first 20,000 fans in attendance will receive this limited-edition item, courtesy of SHARP HealthCare.
