RALEIGH — The North Carolina Football Club is hosting a girls' college showcase this weekend, despite the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state. 

This tournament typically draws 500 soccer teams from across the country, but this year only about half of those teams are participating.

Players must wear a mask basically at all times, including during game play.

Coaches and people in the crowd must also wear masks.

No one can gather at the field until 10 minutes before the game starts, and they must leave immediately after.

Despite these protocols, the state's health department secretary, Dr. Mandy Cohen, denounced the event during a briefing earlier this week.

"Masks are going to be an important component and an additional layer of protection," Cohen says. "As I said, our guidelines already discourages those events."

Players must also take their temperatures and do a health screening before taking the field. 

The tournament is expected to take place through Sunday at various soccer fields in the Raleigh area.